India’s senior womenvolleyball team suffered a disappointing 2-3 loss to lower-ranked Hong Kong in their opening match of the AVC Womens Volleyball Nations Cup 2025, held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
After racing to a commanding two-set lead, India lost control of the match and eventually went down in a five-set thriller that exposed rust and inexperience following an 11-month break from international competition.
A Promising Start, a Painful Collapse
The match began positively for India, with the team winning the first two sets 25-22 and 25-18, showing a clear edge in attack and net control. But once Hong Kong found their rhythm, the Indian team struggled to respond. The tide turned sharply in the third set, where India faltered 15-25, visibly rattled by Hong Kong’s improved defense and fast counterplay.
In the fourth set, despite some resistance, India went down 21-25, taking the match into a decider. The fifth set was a tense affair. India saved two match points and led at various stages, but Hong Kong eventually closed it out 18-16, celebrating wildly while India stood stunned at a missed opportunity.
Match Practice—or the Lack of It—Shows
This was India’s first international match in almost a year, and the absence of regular exposure was evident. The team looked rusty in transitions and struggled to maintain intensity after the initial momentum faded. Most of the players had only competed in domestic nationals, which, while necessary, don’t match the intensity of international fixtures.
The coaching staff, too, is new, with several changes in personnel from last year’s setup. That may have contributed to a lack of cohesion on court, especially under pressure. There were communication lapses, misreads on blocks, and multiple errors in serve reception that allowed Hong Kong to claw back into the contest.
Historical Context: A Pattern of Decline
This defeat continues a worrying trend in India’s recent performance at the AVC Nations Cup. After a silver-medal finish in the inaugural edition in 2022, the team has slid steadily down the rankings:
- 2022 – Finalist
- 2023 – 4th place
- 2024 – 5th place
- 2025 – Off to a losing start against the lowest-ranked team in the group
It’s also worth noting that India have struggled against Hong Kong in other age-group competitions in recent years—losing at the University Games and Asian U18s, and narrowly winning 3-2 in the Asian Games and Asian U20s. The gap between the two sides is narrowing fast, and on current evidence, Hong Kong may now have the upper hand.
Composure Under Pressure Lacking
There were several moments that summed up India’s struggle to stay composed. Trailing 10-11 in the fifth set, India took a questionable review—a sign of nerves and lack of clarity. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong team played with freedom, even dancing during breaks and exuding energy on court. Their coach, remarkably, was seen laughing during a 0-5 deficit in the second set, showing a relaxed team environment that eventually paid off.
India’s bench, on the other hand, looked tense. The inability to close out the match after leading by two sets is an area the coaching staff will need to address urgently.
What’s Next?
India still have three group-stage matches left:
- 9 June – vs Australia 🇦🇺 (Rank 55)
- 11 June – vs Vietnam 🇻🇳 (Rank 32, defending champions)
- 12 June – vs Taiwan 🇹🇼 (Rank 45)
With only the winner of the tournament earning a spot in the 2026 Asian Championship, India’s path just got tougher. But beyond qualification, the focus should be on building a coherent unit, improving match readiness, and ensuring the younger players get valuable court time.
The new federation now in office has an opportunity to invest in more consistent international exposure, which is sorely needed if Indian women’s volleyball is to compete consistently on the continental stage.
The opening loss to Hong Kong is a setback—but it is also a reminder. Of the importance of continuity. Of the need for investment in international exposure. And of how far Indian women’s volleyball still needs to go to regain its place in Asia’s top tier.
The road ahead in the AVC Nations Cup is steep, but not impossible. With composure, strategy, and hunger, India can still fight back. Whether they do will depend on how quickly they can shake off the rust—and believe they belong.
