Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan qualified for 2025 CAVA Volleyball Nations League
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2024 – Undefeated Kyrgyzstan stamped their authority on the 2024 CAVA Men’s Volleyball Championship after stunning hosts Uzbekistan in thrilling three-setter in the Thursday’s final showdown at JAR Sport Complex, as Turkmenistan downed Afghanistan in straight sets to pick up bronze medal.
Following their exceptional performances in the one-week championship, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan qualified for the 2025 CAVA Volleyball Men’s Nations League, resulting in eight teams in total to strut their stuff in the next year’s edition.
Earlier, five strong teams have automatically qualified for the topflight tournament consisting of Iran, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.
The 2024 CAVA Men’s Nations League was held in Islamabad, Pakistan in May. Hosts Pakistan captured the title, while Turkmenistan, which was invited to join the fray, sprang a surprise to take the second place. Kyrgyzstan claimed the third spot, with Sri Lanka, Iran and Afghanistan in fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.
On Thursday, the final day of the action-packed CAVA Men’s Championship in Tashkent, Maldives, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan completed their campaigns on high note.
5th-6th playoff match: Maldives beat Tajikistan 3-1
The first match of the day saw Maldives, fresh from beating Tajikistan 3-1 in their last preliminary clash on Wednesday, repeat the feat with the similar 3-1 margin to claim the fifth place in Tashkent.
Maldives made a solid start, winning the first two sets comfortably 25-17 and 25-16. However, Tajikistan made a spirited comeback in the third set, narrowly winning it 25-23. In the fourth set, Maldives regained their momentum and sealed the closely-contested set 25-22 and match.
The Maldives’ offensive and defensive coordination was key to their success, while Tajikistan’s resilience kept them in the game.
Skipper and outside hitter Sajid Ismail once again proved a big role in steering the Maldives to victory, scoring 20 points including 18 kills from 41 attempts. Opposite Hussain Shamaail and middle blocker Fairooz Adam kept good company to contribute 18 and 15 points respectively. Outside hitter and team captain Mavlonazarov Suhrob led Tajikistan with 12 points, all in attack.
Bronze-medal match: Turkmenistan beat Afghanistan 3-0
Turkmenistan, second place at this year’s CAVA Nations League, delivered an outstanding performance against world No.63 Afghanistan, winning in well-fought straight sets 25-23, 25-21, 25-20 to secure third place. Despite Afghanistan’s best efforts, Turkmenistan’s consistent attack and strong blocking proved too much to handle.
The match remained close throughout, but Turkmenistan’s ability to maintain composure in the critical moments gave them the edge in each set.
Opposite Veyisov Bayramgeldi chipped in 16 points from 10 attacks, 5 blocks and one ace for Turkmenistan, while outside hitter Hemrakulyyev Bagtyyar added another 15 points. Outside hitter Asifi Ozair Mohammad scored 13 points including 12 attacks from 19 attempts on the Afghanistan’s loss.
Championship match: Kyrgyzstan beat Uzbekistan 3-0
In the final, in-form Kyrgyzstan, third place at this year’s CAVA Nations League in Pakistan, faced off against hosts Uzbekistan, the strong team they had narrowly beaten 3-2 in their single round-robin preliminaries, in an intense battle for the eventual title.
Powered by outside hitter Zhunusov Omurbek and fellow outside hitter Toktoev Nurmukhammed, who was later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Kyrgyzstan showcased their prowess marked by precise attacks, solid defense, and effective teamwork.
The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading attacks and points, but Kyrgyzstan pulled away to win the hotly-contested set 28-26. The second and third sets saw Kyrgyzstan’s confidence grow, as they dominated the game with scores of 25-19 and 25-20 for the eventual 3-0 win. Kyrgyzstan captured the title with remarkable unbeaten records.
Outside hitter Zhunusov Omurbek was the Kyrgyzstan’s lone player to reach double digits in scoring, as he delivered 14 points from 11 attacks, two blocks and one ace for the team, while middle blocker Medetbek Uulu Nurislam and outside hitter Toktoev Nurmukhammed added 9 points apiece. Uzbekistan had three players who scored double digits.
Outside hitter Mamayusufov Shokhboz tallied 13 points from 9 attacks and 4 blocks, while middle blocker Yermolov Maksim and team captain and opposite Sobirov Islomjon contributed 11 points each on the team’s loss.
This year’s championship highlighted the growing level of talent within the region, and Kyrgyzstan’s remarkable victory further establisheD their leadership in Central Asian volleyball.
FINAL MATCH RESULTS
DREAM TEAM
MVP
KGZ, No.05 Toktoev Nurmukhammed
Best Middle Blockers:
TKM, No. 11, Gulyyev Mithun
KGZ, No. 04, Medetbek Uulu Nurislam
Best Outside Hitters:
AFG, No. 09, Mohamadi Abdul Mutalib
KGZ, No. 05, Toktoev Nurmukhammed
Best Opposite Spiker:
KGZ, No. 07, Kanybek Uulu Onolbek
Best Setter:
UZB, No. 08, Murodov Mirziyod
Best Libero:
UZB, No. 14, Omonov Shakhzod
Best Scorer
MDV, No.09, Sajid Ismail
FINAL RANKINGS
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