Following negotiations between the Vietnam Volleyball Federation and Gunma Green Wings, the club agreed to release Thanh Thuy - even though the Japanese national championship is currently underway and she plays a pivotal role as their star outside hitter.

The club’s decision to let her go for nearly a month is widely seen as a generous and respectful gesture. Once the SEA Games mission concludes, Thanh Thuy is expected to return to Japan immediately.

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Tran Thi Thanh Thuy is the lead spiker for Vietnam’s national women’s volleyball team.

With her participation now official, this will mark Thanh Thuy’s sixth consecutive SEA Games appearance. Over the past decade, she has become the most seasoned and decorated player in the national lineup. She is also widely expected to be named team captain by coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet for this tournament in Thailand.

Reports also confirm that Tran Thi Bich Thuy will return from Japan alongside Thanh Thuy in early December. The return of these two key players is a huge relief for coach Tuan Kiet, especially with Bich Tuyen not being called up for this training cycle.

Coach Kiet, born in 1976, has high hopes that Thanh Thuy’s competitive experience in Japan’s elite league will play a crucial role in Vietnam’s quest for gold at SEA Games 33.

With their sights set firmly on the gold medal, the team has relocated from Quang Ninh to Vinh Long for training - an area with a climate similar to Thailand’s - to acclimate ahead of the competition.

As part of the team’s final tune-up, Vietnam will play a friendly match against national champions VTV Binh Dien Long An at 2:00 p.m. on November 21.

Doan Thi Xuan withdraws due to injury

In other news, Doan Thi Xuan has withdrawn from the national squad due to injury. This leaves coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet with 19 players on the preliminary roster, not including Thanh Thuy and Bich Thuy who have not yet reported to camp.

The current roster includes two opposite hitters: Kieu Trinh and Dang Thi Kim Thanh.

The final 14-player list for SEA Games will be finalized by coach Kiet before the team departs for Thailand.

The indoor volleyball tournament at SEA Games 33 is scheduled from December 10 to December 19. Vietnam’s women’s team is placed in Group B alongside Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Dai Nam