Đà Nẵng beat Hà Nội 3-1 in a men's national volleyball championship placement match on November 7 to secure their place in the top division. They lost the opening set 25-22 before winning the next three 25-22, 25-22 and 25-21 at Phú Thọ Arena in Ho Chi Minh City.
The result followed a difficult group stage for Đà Nẵng. Tuổi Trẻ reported that the team had won twice and lost 12 times in 14 matches, finishing bottom before the placement phase.
A comeback after the opening set
Hà Nội took the first set 25-22. In the second, Thai import Napadet Bhinijdee joined Lê Công Tuấn Huy and Trần Minh Khuyến in Đà Nẵng's attack as the team levelled the match, according to Sài Gòn Giải Phóng.
Play was interrupted in the third set after Đà Nẵng's coach and players reacted to a refereeing decision. Tuổi Trẻ reported that the team believed an opponent had committed a fault. That was Đà Nẵng's view of the incident; the players returned to court and won the set 25-22.
Đà Nẵng then took the fourth set 25-21 to complete the turnaround. Tuổi Trẻ credited Napadet with an important contribution in the match.
Survival secured
Coach Trần Viết Cường told Sài Gòn Giải Phóng that his team had prepared carefully and committed its resources to the decisive fixture. He said the victory matched the coaching staff's target.
The published schedule lists Đà Nẵng against Ho Chi Minh City for fifth place. The city team beat Sanest Khánh Hòa 3-1 to stay up. Sài Gòn Giải Phóng also listed Hà Nội against Khánh Hòa on November 8 for the remaining survival place.
The Ho Chi Minh City placement team is separate from Công an TPHCM, who reached the final. The schedule was published after the November 7 matches.