VTV Bình Điền Long An faces a very challenging situation in the Asian Club Championship.

Many obstacles are ahead for the reigning national women's volleyball champions at the AVC Champions League 2026.

The national champions VTV Bình Điền Long An must enter a crucial qualifying match against Supreme Chonburi (Thailand) to compete for an official spot at the AVC Champions League 2026. According to the schedule, the match will take place on February 26 in Bangkok, Thailand.

This decision stems from a sudden adjustment by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) regarding the allocation format for the continent’s top club tournament. Instead of granting direct entry to national champions as usual, the AVC now requires Southeast Asian representatives to compete directly to secure their official place in the final round.

Previously, the coaching staff of VTV Bình Điền Long An believed the team had qualified for the AVC Champions League 2026 — planned for late April in South Korea — as Vietnam’s national champions. However, the new rulings from AVC and the Southeast Asian Volleyball Association (SAVA) force the Vietnamese and Thai representatives to decide the ticket through a direct match.

The last-minute change compels the Western region team to adjust their professional plans. Late February coincides with preparation time and the Lunar New Year holiday. Right after the break, the entire team must regroup early to complete preparations for their away trip to Bangkok.

The challenges increase as VTV Bình Điền Long An is still searching for foreign players to strengthen the squad for the new season. Currently, the team also lacks the presence of outside hitter Trần Thị Thanh Thúy due to her ongoing competition in Japan. This absence significantly impacts the team’s attacking power under the leadership of coach Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hoa.

Meanwhile, Supreme Chonburi remains a strong force in Thai women's volleyball with extensive experience in continental competitions. Since the Thai National Championship started late last year, Chonburi’s players clearly have better match rhythm compared to the Vietnamese side. Additionally, playing away makes the challenge of securing a spot even tougher for coach Ngọc Hoa’s team.