Twice put in a difficult position.
In the final match, the Vietnamese team faced Thailand – one of the leading powerhouses in sepak takraw in the world. The starting lineup for Vietnam consisted of Nguyen Thi My, Tran Thi Ngoc Yen, Nguyen Thi Yen, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huyen.
The Vietnamese girls entered the match with great confidence. Solid defense, effective blocking, and precise attacks helped Vietnam quickly take a 3-1 lead, then a 5-1 lead.
Thailand immediately adjusted their game after the timeout. They gradually narrowed the gap, making the match a back-and-forth affair. Both teams continuously engaged in fierce attacks and blocking. Thailand pulled ahead to 8-9, but Vietnam maintained their focus, taking the lead first at 11-8 and then 12-9.
At a crucial moment, effective blocks helped Vietnam create a 14-10 lead. Thailand scored another point, but the Vietnamese girls remained unfazed, calmly securing the decisive point to close out the first set with a 15-11 victory.
Set 2 unfolded in a completely different way. Thailand took the initiative and quickly created a gap. After Vietnam led 2-1, their opponents scored consecutive points to take the lead 5-2, then 7-3. The Vietnamese coaching staff brought Le Ngoc Tuyet onto the court to replace Nguyen Thi My in order to create more tactical options.
Thailand continued to lead 8-4, 9-5, and 13-8. It seemed as though the final was gradually falling into the hands of the Thai team, but this was also the moment when the resilience of the Vietnamese girls came to the fore.
Refusing to give up, Vietnam persevered, carefully accumulating points. Effective attacks combined with strong blocking helped the team narrow the gap to 10-13, then surprisingly level the score at 13-13.
With their spirits high, Vietnam continued to score points to take the lead 14-13. However, Thailand quickly leveled the score at 14-14, then took the lead again at 15-14.
The match was then temporarily halted so that Dr. Nguyen Manh Thang could enter the field to treat Nguyen Thi Yen's injury. This was the third time a doctor from the Vietnamese Sports Delegation had to enter the field to assist athletes during a tense final match.
When the match resumed, Thailand took the lead 16-14. Vietnam tried to narrow the gap to 15-16 but couldn't complete the comeback. Thailand won the decisive point, taking the set 17-15 and leveling the match at 1-1. The gold medal was therefore decided in the third set.
Courage at the decisive moment
Set 3 started poorly for Vietnam. Thailand quickly took a 2-0 lead, then a 3-0 lead. Vietnam scored points to narrow the gap to 1-3 before the match was interrupted again due to an injury to Thai player Chithuan Wiphada.
When the match resumed, Thailand maintained their advantage, leading 5-2. Once again, the Vietnamese girls faced a major challenge. But, just like in set 2, Vietnam refused to give up.
Point by point, the Vietnamese girls persistently narrowed the gap to 4-5 and then leveled the score at 5-5. The shouts of "keep going!" from members of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation and fans in the stands continuously echoed, giving the athletes extra strength.
The two teams were tied at 6-6 before Vietnam accelerated. The girls in red took the lead 8-6. Thailand narrowed the gap to 7-8, but Vietnam maintained their dominance and successively widened the gap to 10-8, 11-8, 12-9, and then 14-10.
Just one point away from the gold medal, but that was also the most tense moment of the final. Thailand saved a point, narrowing the score to 11-14.
The Vietnamese girls remained calm. Without rushing or letting pressure get the better of them, the Vietnamese team executed solid plays and secured the final point. Set 3 concluded with a 15-11 victory.
The members of the Vietnamese team erupted in joy. After three lengthy sets, with moments when it seemed the gold medal had slipped from their grasp, the Vietnamese women's sepak takraw team completed a spectacular comeback.
In the end, Vietnam defeated Thailand 2-1, with scores of 15-11, 15-17, and 15-11, thereby winning the women's quadrant event at ASIAD 20.
This victory was built on resilience and a fighting spirit to the very end. Twice, Vietnam found themselves in a difficult position, trailing 2-5 in the second set and the deciding set, but both times, the girls in red persevered. Every point was carefully earned, every opportunity seized, and ultimately, their efforts were rewarded with the gold medal.
When the final score was recorded, joy erupted on the field. Tears of happiness streamed down the faces of the members of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation. After a breathtaking final match, it was a well-deserved reward for the never-give-up fighting spirit of the Vietnamese women's sepak takraw team.
The gold medal in the women's quadrant event is also the second gold medal for the Vietnamese women's sepak takraw team at ASIAD 20, after winning the women's doubles event, and the third gold medal for the Vietnamese sports delegation at the Games.
Bonus awarded to the women's sepak takraw team.
Immediately after the victory of the Vietnamese women's sepak takraw team, Ms. Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, sent her congratulations and praised the courageous fighting spirit of the entire team.
The Minister highly praised the athletes' courageous performance against Thailand – a world- class rival. In a tense final match, the Vietnamese team demonstrated excellent coordination, focus, and determination, especially during moments of intense pressure from their opponents.
According to the Minister, the women's sepak takraw team's achievement is a commendable result, reflecting the serious preparation and persistent efforts of the athletes and coaching staff. Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh also directed the Vietnamese Sports Delegation to award a bonus to the women's sepak takraw team.
The Minister also sent words of encouragement to the entire team and members of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, hoping that the athletes would continue to maintain their competitive spirit and strive their best in the remaining days of competition at ASIAD 20.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/asiad-20-thang-nghet-tho-thai-lan-cau-may-nu-viet-nam-gianh-huy-chuong-vang-thu-ba-cho-viet-nam-1759324.html
