Viet Nam takes VTV Cup opener

(08-09-2008)

HA NOI — Defending champion Viet Nam defeated New Zealand 3-0 in the opening match of the International Women’s Volleyball Tournament – VTV Cup yesterday in the southern city of Can Tho.

The Vietnamese players dominated their opponents, winning 25-18, 25-16, 25-22 over their weaker and shorter rivals.

Under new head coach Luong Khuong Thuong, the team was coached to play on the attack with spikers Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Bui Thi Hue and Pham Thi Yen filling the score board.

Hoa, who has been the best national attacker for the last three years, proved her power with unstoppable volleys over to the Kiwi side, while Hue raised the score with her fast and strong serves that confused New Zealand’s digger.

Returning to the national team after one year of injury, captain Yen showed that her skills were still sharp enough to bring Viet Nam to a win despite weak starts to all three sets.

The home advantage shook up the visitors, with strong support from local fans who turned the gymnasium into a dynamite vessel to encourage Viet Nam.

The Kiwi players seemed to have a tough time keeping it together, losing points by hitting the net or with wide spikes.

Most of their points came from Vietnamese mistakes, as some of the host players were not very good at digging and left them open to attacks.

In earlier matches, Thailand beat Kazakhstan 3-0 and North Korea beat Australia 3-0.

The annual VTV Cup has six participants this year, including first-timers Kazakhstan and North Korea. The teams are competing in a round robin format.

According to organiser Phan Ngoc Tien, they played at similar levels to the host. Four top teams will go on to the semi-finals. The finals are taking place on September 14, where the winner will walk away with a bonus of US$5,000. Runners-up will pocket $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

In last year’s final, Viet Nam defeated US’s St John University to take the title.

All matches are broadcast live on VTV3 and VCTV3 at 2pm everyday. — VNS