Vietnam captured a bounce-back victory after a dominant take of Iran in straight sets, 25-17, 25-14, 25-11, in Pool A of the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women, Tuesday afternoon at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The win sees Vietnam with a 2-1 win-loss record in the provisional lead in the group at seven points, just ahead of China’s six (2-0). The Southeast Asian side likewise booked a place in the quarterfinals as a result.
Tran Thi Thanh Thuy vented its ire in this game, ending with a match-high 21 points on 20 attacks, including the winning kill. The prolific outside spiker also had a service ace in this quick 76-minute match.
The Southeast Asian side had to stave off a slow start in the first set. Then it activated all of its spikers – especially its middle attackers – to eventually gain set advantage. Vietnam continued to pile up the pressure in transition in the following frame.
With their offense clicking on all fronts, they pocketed that second in a more convincing fashion.
The Nguyen Tuan Kiet-mentored squad’s lead grew to double digits at 18-8 in the third with a cross-court kill from captain Tran. It never relinquished the lead en route to the win.
Middle blocker Nguyen Tri Thinh also provided an option on offense. She ended with nine markers on eight spikes to go with one block. The other center attacker Tran Thi Bich Thuy and opposite hitter Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh added six points each.
Vietnam will look to close out its pool play with a win over South Korea (0-2) on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
On the other hand, Iran, who slipped to an even 1-1 slate, saw their own skipper Mahsa Kadkhoda pace the squad with 10 points, all coming from attacks. Maedeh Borhani Esfahani added six points on five spikes and a service ace.
The 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games silver medallists will battle the host Philippines (0-1) later in the day at 7 p.m.
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