Relegation Struggle Looming for Thailand, Canada, South Korea, and Serbia as Final Round of VNL 2025 Approaches
The Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 is in its critical final round, and four teams - Thailand, Canada, South Korea, and Serbia - are battling to avoid relegation.
Thailand, coached by Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, has accumulated 5 points in the VNL 2025, having won one match and lost seven. The team started the second round with a 2-0 lead over Japan but lost 2-3. They also suffered defeats against Italy (0-3) and Bulgaria in a five-set thriller.
Canada, on the other hand, has won two matches in the VNL 2025, more than any other relegation candidate. However, they lost to South Korea (2-3) in the second round, which may have affected their chances of avoiding relegation.
South Korea won a close match against Canada (3-2) in the second round but was officially relegated to the Challenger Cup for the next season. Serbia ranked 15th or 16th in the final standings, while Canada and Thailand ranked 16th and 17th respectively.
The match against Canada on July 13 is critical for Thailand's survival in the VNL 2025. Thailand's key matches for avoiding relegation are also against Germany, the Dominican Republic, and Canada on July 10, 11, 12, and 13 respectively.
Serbia, who have suffered eight straight losses in the VNL 2025, are relying on Tijana Boskovic's return for a turnaround. Unfortunately, by the late stage of the competition and final standings available by July 26-27 2025, the chances for Thailand, Canada, South Korea, and Serbia to avoid relegation were extremely low or nil.
Thailand recently defeated Cambodia 7-0 in the ASEAN Women's Championship group stage, but it seems that their performance in the VNL 2025 was not enough to secure their place in the top league next season.
In summary, South Korea has been relegated, and Thailand and Canada are likely to follow suit or face relegation. Serbia's chances to avoid relegation are very slim or none. The team finishing last will be relegated to the lower league next season.
Despite Thailand's victory over Cambodia in the ASEAN Women's Championship, their performance in the VNL 2025 was not sufficient to secure their spot in the top league next season, as they, along with Canada, are at risk of relegation. In contrast, South Korea has already been relegated, and Serbia's chances to avoid the same fate are extremely low or non-existent.
