Waiting for Thanh Hoa's 'dark horse' to gallop

Thanh Hoa FC is the biggest surprise team in the 2024 National Volleyball Championship currently taking place in Lao Cai . Fans of the Thanh Hoa women's volleyball team still remember their victory against Quang Ninh FC in the decisive match that secured their survival in last season's league. This season, despite changes in both the coaching staff and investment in the squad, Thanh Hoa FC's goal remains simply to avoid relegation.

Coach Bui Huy Son has shown his Midas touch since taking over Thanh Hoa, uniting the domestic players, who previously lacked any national team members, into a stable and effective team. Chinese foreign player Liu Yanhan and veteran hitter Doan Thi Xuan are two standout players, contributing significantly to the team's eight wins and only one loss against VTV Binh Dien Long An in the qualifying round. Coach Bui Huy Son stated that being underestimated from the start of the tournament helped Thanh Hoa Club maintain a relaxed mindset, allowing the players to execute the tactics set by the coaching staff. “The Thanh Hoa players have shown their full potential; reaching the top four in the national volleyball championship is an unexpected success. We will maintain a relaxed spirit to play a dedicated match in the semi-finals,” Coach Bui Huy Son shared.

Lịch thi đấu bán kết bóng chuyền hôm nay: Chờ 'ngựa ô' Thanh Hóa tung vó - Ảnh 1. — Thanh Hoa Club promises to spring a surprise in the semi-finals of the 2024 National Volleyball Championship.

In today's semi-final match against Duc Giang Chemical Club, Thanh Hoa FC faced a disadvantage as setter Le Thi Dung was not in her best physical condition due to a previous injury. Their opponent was also very strong, boasting a lineup of Vietnamese national volleyball players such as Tu Linh and Bich Thuy, along with Kenyan foreign player Sharon Chepchumba, who played an effective attacking game. Although considered the stronger team, Duc Giang Chemical Club risked paying the price if they lacked focus and underestimated their opponent.

The other semi-final match is a real battle between the defending champions LPBank Ninh Binh and VTV Binh Dien Long An. LPBank Ninh Binh did not perform well in the second phase of the national volleyball championship and nearly dropped out of the top four. However, as coach Thai Quang Lai of VTV Binh Dien Long An assessed: “Ninh Binh is very strong, possessing key players from the Vietnamese women's national volleyball team such as Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, Nguyen Thi Trinh, and Le Thanh Thuy. They didn't play well recently, but having escaped danger and reached the semi-finals, they will become very formidable. In the first phase, we beat LPBank Ninh Binh 3-0, but the rematch in the semi-finals will not be easy.”

Coach Thai Quang Lai stated that he will focus on defensive capabilities and first-touch control to neutralize the dangerous attacks from Ninh Binh Club. "I hope my players will perform to the best of their abilities to achieve the goal of winning against Ninh Binh Club. The team's strength is quite stable, and the young players are also improving, so we are confident before this important match for a ticket to the final," Coach Thai Quang Lai shared.