Hanoi, Vietnam, June 13, 2025 – Star opposite hitter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen delivered a sensational 28-point performance to power hosts Vietnam past Kazakhstan in a thrilling four-set semifinal, earning them a place in the highly-anticipated final against the Philippines at the inaugural AVC Women’s Nations Cup at Dong Anh Gymnasium on Friday.
Vietnam, back-to-back champions at the 2023 and 2024 AVC Challenge Cups and the only team yet to drop a set in this eight-day tournament, fielded a full-strength lineup featuring Bich Tuyen, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Nguyen Thi Trinh, and Nguyen Thi Uyen in this crucial clash. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, were once again without their injured captain and veteran outside hitter Sana Anarkulova in the do-or-die semifinal.
Backed by a vocal crowd of 2,800 supporters, Vietnam opened strongly with a dominant 25-15 win in the first set. Kazakhstan, shaking off their slow start, regrouped to claim the second set 25-19. However, Vietnam quickly regained control behind the offensive prowess of Thanh Thuy and Bich Tuyen, coupled with sharp defensive play that left Kazakhstan struggling to regain their rhythm. The home team cruised through the next two sets 25-7, 25-16 to seal the 3-1 victory and a spot in the championship match.
Three Vietnamese players finished in double figures, with Bich Tuyen leading the charge with 28 points from 25 attacks, 2 blocks, and one ace. Captain Thanh Thuy chipped in 15 points, while Nguyen Thi Uyen added 11.
For Kazakhstan, outside hitter Perizat Nurbergenova led the scoring with 20 points, including 4 blocks and one ace.
Vietnam outperformed Kazakhstan across most statistical categories, leading in kills (61 to 36), blocks (10 to 7), and points from opponent errors (19 to 15). Kazakhstan held a narrow edge in aces (5 to 4).
The victory extended Vietnam’s unbeaten run in the inaugural AVC Women’s Nations Cup and earned them an additional 5.01 world ranking points, moving them up to No.27 in the FIVB World Rankings with 136.20 points. Kazakhstan slipped to No.32 with 111.86 points.
Vietnam will now face the Philippines in Saturday’s gold-medal match. The Filipinas, fresh from stunning Kazakhstan in straight sets in the group stage, edged Chinese Taipei in a dramatic five-set semifinal.
AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara, who also serves as President of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, was present at the competition venue to witness the thrilling encounter.
The Philippines took the first two sets 25-17, 25-21, before Chinese Taipei rallied to force a decider by winning the next two 25-18, 25-15. In a tense fifth set, the Philippines held their nerves to secure a 15-12 victory and a place in the historic final.
Outside hitter Mhicaela Belen starred for the Philippines with 15 points from 11 attacks and 4 blocks, while opposite Alyssa Jae Solomon and middle blocker Mereophe Aevangeline Sharma added 12 and 10 points respectively. Opposite Chen Chieh led Chinese Taipei with 19 points, supported by Liu Shuang Ling (17) and Chang Yi-Chi (14).
The Philippines dominated the blocking game,12 to Chinese Taipei’s 8, and capitalized on opponent errors (31 to 23), while Chinese Taipei led in kills (65 to 51) with both sides equal in aces (4 apiece).
With this hard-earned win, the Philippines gained 4.46 points but remained at No.47 in the FIVB World Rankings with a total of 76.79 points. Chinese Taipei dropped to No.43 with 84.44 points.
In the Classification Round earlier, India defeated New Zealand 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-15, 25-22) in the 9th-11th match.
Opposite Anagha Radhakrishnan delivered 22 points, including 6 blocks, with Anusree Kambrath Poyilil and Shalini Saravanan adding 16 and 14 points, respectively.
In the 5th-8th playoff matches, Indonesia beat Hong Kong, China 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 25-15).
Mediol Stiovanny Yoku scored 20 points, all in attacks for Indonesia, with Ersandrina Devega and Putri Nur Hidayanti Agustin contributing 15 and 12. Hong Kong, China’s opposite Shum Lam bagged 13 points, all in attacks, with outside hitter Pang Wing Lam firing 11 and outside hitter Chim Wing Lam 10.
Iran swept Australia 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-22), led by outside hitter Fatemeh Khalil Chermahini and Sepinoud Dastbarjan, who each posted 12 points. Outside hitter Kayla Cantrill scored 13 points for Australia.
The AVC Women’s Nations Cup title will be awarded for the first time to the eventual champions on Saturday night in Hanoi, followed by closing ceremony.
MATCH SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 14 (all local time)
10.00: 9th–10th: India vs Mongolia
12.30: 7th-8th: Hong Kong, China vs Australia
15.00: 5th-6th: Indonesia vs Iran
17.30: Bronze Medal Match: Kazakhstan vs Chinese Taipei
20.00: Championship Match: Vietnam vs Philippines
Watch live matches through VBTV
Click the link below for match schedule, results and photos
https://asianvolleyball.net/new/2025-avc-womens-volleyball-nations-cup/
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