How strong was Thai women's volleyball before losing to Vietnam?

The victory over Thailand in the second round of SEA V.League 2025 brought a historic milestone for Vietnamese women's volleyball, but it was not enough to dethrone the rival in the Southeast Asian region.

Thailand (blue shirt) is still ranked above Vietnam - Photo: VAT

Why did we not get points when we beat Thailand?

It is important to note that, before losing to Vietnam last night on August 10 at SEA V.League 2025, Vietnam was close to Thailand on the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) women's volleyball world rankings.

Specifically, thanks to the overwhelming victories at SEA V.League, Vietnam has 155.79 points, less than 5 points behind Thailand - ranked 21st with 160.42 points.

So what is that gap after last night's win? The answer is still the same. Because of FIVB rules.

The rule reads as follows: "Matchups from annual regional (continental or regional) tournaments will not be counted towards the world rankings if they involve teams that also participate in the VNL (FIVB Nations League) in the same year. To be clear, matches that do not involve a VNL team will still be counted."

That is, in SEA V.League, any match with Thailand will not count for any side. Vietnam women's volleyball team will only gain points when they beat Indonesia and the Philippines.

Why is there this rule? It's almost a form of insurance for teams participating in VNL.

Having to participate in a VNL season - lasting continuously for nearly 2 months (June-July) causes great physical obstacles for most teams. And interwoven with that are the club season, continental and world championships...

Thailand is the team that most clearly experiences the pressure from a stressful competition schedule. Because almost every year they have to plow through VNL, 1 of 2 world or continental tournaments, then go to regional tournaments such as SEA V.League, SEA Games...

In VNL, every match of Thailand is a battle for survival. Like in this year's season, they had to wait until the last match (lost 2-3 to Canada) to be able to stay in the league successfully.

That is not an excuse for Thailand, but the truth. FIVB has a reason to set a rule that does not count regional points for teams that have participated in the VNL. In general, for Thai women's volleyball, the SEA V.League may have great honor, but it is just a friendly tournament.

And it is hard to say that Vietnam won the title from Thailand women's volleyball team after only 1 friendly win.

Sober after historic victory

SEA V.League has 2 stages, each stage is held in 1 country. From 2022 to now, Thailand - Vietnam has always been the common organization formula of the women's volleyball tournament.

Football fans will find it familiar, it is like a home and away final format, like the ASEAN Cup.

The difference is that SEA V.League has... 2 championships. The team that wins the stage will be awarded a medal and also be named champion. And in this year's season, Thailand won the stage in Thailand, while Vietnam won the stage in Vietnam.

So it's a draw. The satisfaction of Vietnamese fans is of course greater, because we have quenched our thirst for history, erased the haunting defeat against Thailand that has lasted for decades, and also because of the way the Vietnamese girls won.

Except for Bich Tuyen, Thai stars are still better than Vietnamese stars in general - Photo: VAT

But the truth is, Vietnam have only beaten Thailand in a non-scoring match, at home, and in the run-up to the 2025 World Cup - which will take place in Thailand in 2 weeks.

Between the thrilling relegation at VNL 2025 and the 2025 World Championship, the Thai girls certainly did not reach their peak performance in the middle. This is a basic thing that anyone who plays sports and enjoys top sports understands.

It is obvious that Vietnamese fans are happy and joyful, but don't be too hasty to believe that the national women's volleyball team is on par with the Thai team and has won the title.

Also, don't be too sure that Thailand will forever be powerless against the "unrivaled" Bich Tuyen. When Thailand's coach is the legendary strategist Kiattipong (often called coach Aod), who has helped Thailand defeat Vietnam in every SEA Games final from 2001 to the present.

It is difficult for Thailand and Vietnam to meet each other in the upcoming World Cup, because each team is at great risk of stopping at the group stage.

But at the 33rd SEA Games, also taking place in Thailand this December, that will be the real moment for the battle for the regional women's volleyball title.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bong-chuyen-nu-thai-lan-manh-the-nao-truoc-khi-thua-viet-nam-20250811093829924.htm