Entering the match, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi played proactively, maintaining consistency in every play. The Vietnamese pair surged ahead 11-9, standing on the verge of closing out the set. A service fault by their opponents allowed Minh Tan and Gia Nghi to claim the opening set 12-9.
Moving into the second set, the two Vietnamese athletes sustained their momentum to lead 5-2. Although their opponents narrowed the gap to 5-7, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi held their ground, continuing to extend the lead.
With the score at 10-6 in Vietnam's favor, an off-target attack by the Indian duo enabled Minh Tan and Gia Nghi to extend the scoreline to 11-6.
The match was subsequently paused due to a health issue and a back injury suffered by the Indian female athlete. Under the rules, play was suspended for 3 minutes, after which the referee granted an additional 3 minutes upon the Indian side's request, bringing the total stoppage time to 6 minutes. During this break, the Vietnamese pair held a tactical discussion to prepare for the decisive points.
When the match resumed, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi maintained their advantage, closing out the second set 12-6 to secure an overall 2-0 triumph over the Indian pair and claim the mixed doubles bronze medal. This was also the first medal for the Vietnam Sports Delegation at the 20th Asian Games.
Prior to entering the bronze medal match, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi navigated their campaign in Group B alongside opponents from Iraq, Japan, and South Korea. The Vietnamese duo kicked off with a 2-0 win over the host nation's Sakamoto Yuina and Wase Akinori of Japan.
Following a defeat against the Iraqi representatives, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi maintained steady form, overcoming challengers from South Korea and other nations to qualify for the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, the Vietnamese pair defeated India's Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza and Mohamed Anas Imran 2-0 to advance to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi faced Thailand's Dejaroen Phakpong and Wongkhamchan Suphawadi, who are currently ranked 3rd in the world in mixed doubles. Facing a higher-ranked pair with international experience, the Vietnamese athletes lost 0-2 and moved on to the bronze medal match.
With the 2-0 victory over the Indian pair, Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi secured the mixed doubles bronze medal, delivering the first medal for the Vietnam Sports Delegation at the 20th Asian Games.
HY