VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam lost 18-25, 20-25, 19-25 to Chinese Taipei in the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship's quarter-final match held yesterday (May 26) in China.

Viet Nam stop at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship after losing 0-3 to Chinese Taipei. — Photo tinthethtao.com.vn

The Vietnamese team was reportedly seen as the stronger team ahead of the match.

However, they did not start at their best, and made several mistakes while attacking, blocking and defending.

The team could not establish any understanding among the players, allowing Chinese Taipei to score many points and to constantly maintain a gap of five points against Viet Nam.

Coach Thai Thanh Tung had to use all of the two time-outs to discuss with his players and adjust his tactics.

But nothing worked in the end.

Attackers Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa, Bui Thi Nga and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy were too confused to break through Chinese Taipei's strong defence that effectively blocked almost all their attacks.

There were also problems with the digger and setter who could not do their job well, posing several problems for their teammates.

The blockers also needed to improve their skills and focus, which they didn't have most of the time.

The second set was the same, although they scored better.

The third set saw Viet Nam improve remarkably as, for the first time, they went ahead to lead the scoreboard.

Hoa, Nga and Thuy made a comeback with powerful spikes that made the Chinese Taipei coach call for a time-out.

After a short talk, things changed for the better for Chinese Taipei who reasserted their dominance and led the match till the end.

As a result, Viet Nam has failed to reach the semi-final round for the first time.

The team's best result so far was its sixth position in the 2003 and 2013 tournaments.

After their defeat, Viet Nam have to compete for the fifth to eighth spots today, May 27.

VNS