On the morning of April 21, VTV Binh Dien Long An, representing Vietnam, kicked off their campaign at the 2025 AVC Women's Club Championship by facing China’s Beijing club. In their first match, Beijing had cruised to a 3-0 victory over Saipa Tehran from Iran.

VTV Binh Dien Long An started the match with a lineup featuring Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Nhu Quynh, Ngoc Hoa, Nhu Anh, Kim Thoa, Khanh Dang, and foreign import Natalia.

The team from Vietnam's Mekong Delta region began with great confidence. Ngoc Hoa’s experience combined with the powerful attacks from Thanh Thuy and Nhu Quynh allowed VTV Binh Dien Long An to maintain a 3 to 4-point advantage before clinching the first set 25-22.

In the second set, Beijing started strong, leading 4-1. However, with Natalia’s help, VTV Binh Dien Long An staged a comeback to lead 5-4. Thanh Thuy continued to impress with powerful attacks from beyond the 3-meter line. The Vietnamese side took the set 25-21.

With nothing to lose in the third set, Beijing launched a fierce comeback, pulling ahead 7-5, 10-8, then 13-10. Midway through the set, VTV Binh Dien Long An narrowed the gap to just one point. Unfortunately, lapses in concentration and waning stamina cost them the set, which ended 19-25.

Set 4 exposed several issues for VTV Binh Dien Long An, including poor first passes, inconsistent setting, ineffective finishing, and overall fatigue. The team lost the set 9-25. In the deciding fifth set, the Chinese side triumphed 15-10 to secure a 3-2 overall win.

VTV Binh Dien Long An will face Saipa Tehran (Iran) at 9:00 AM on April 22 in their next match.

Dai Nam