Big challenge for Vietnam at Asian volleyball champs

September 13, 2013 | 15:06

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Vietnamese women will play the most competitive game against their Japanese opponents in their first group match of the 2013 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand at 16.00pm on September 13.

Vietnamese women aim to defend their 7th position in Asia (Photo:TTVH)

This will be a big test for Vietnam as Japan is the strongest team in Group C which also includes Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Japan (World No.3) recently secured a 3-0 easy win over Vietnam at a 2014 Asian Volleyball Championship qualifying round.

Although a defeat is anticipated, Vietnam still has the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals, because they will play underdogs Hong Kong and Indonesia in the last two Group C matches on September 14-15.

The Vietnam Volleyball Federation has assigned chief coach Pham Van Long to a task of defending Vietnam’s No7 position in Asia.

Experts say the goal is likely to be within reach as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – one of the world leaders – has not competed in the event, offering Vietnam the chance to outperform Kazakhstan, Iran and Taiwan.

The 2013 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship has seen the participation of 16 teams which are divided into four groups. Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and China are expected to be among the top four.

VOV

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