Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, July 13, 2025 – An action-packed second day of the Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship Thailand 2025 saw the determined host team stun China with comeback win at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium and Korea edge past Chinese Taipei in a dramatic five-set battle in co-host city Ratchaburi.
On Sunday, defending champions Iran, along with India, Pakistan, and Japan continued their dominant form with two consecutive victories, further asserting their status as title contenders.
Bouncing back from a straight-set defeat to India on opening day, hosts Thailand displayed heart and heroics at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium to overcome China in a rousing 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-19) triumph.
After dropping the first set, Thailand found their rhythm through the explosive play of outside hitters Chutiphol Thurakit and Pariwat Toehem. A 12-0 lead in the third set, driven by Chutiphol’s blistering jump serves, ignited the cheering home crowd, as the hosts surged with confidence and flair.
Chutiphol was sensational, firing a match-high 20 points including 6 aces, while Pariwat chipped in 19 points with 16 attacks from 33 attempts. Wang Yicheng led China with 10 points in the losing effort.
Though China edged Thailand in blocking (6 to 1), the home team overwhelmed their opponents in attacks (50 to 38), aces (11 to 5), and capitalized on Chinese errors (34 to 30).
Thailand will next face Australia, while China prepare for a tough test against unbeaten India.
Earlier, India maintained their winning momentum with a commanding straight-set victory (25-16, 25-17, 25-18) over Australia, handing the latter their second defeat.
Rafik Ahmad powered the Indian offense with 11 points from 10 kills, as no Australian player reached double figures. Flynn Niu led the Aussies with 7 points, while James Carter and Raiden Saini added 6 each.
In Pool B, Indonesia, rebounding from their opening loss to Iran, secured their first win in style with a 3-1 (25-14, 25-15, 18-25, 25-11) victory against Kazakhstan.
Raka Dwi Prasetyo starred with 19 points, including 6 aces, while Bayu Pamungkas and Reyhan Ali Akbar contributed 17 and 14 points, respectively. Kazakhstan’s Beibarys Yerkoksheyev and Yemur Yermekov both scored 10 points in the defeat.
Reigning champions Iran made light work of Hong Kong, China, clinching a convincing 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-17) win to solidify their place in the top-tier race.
Azhvan Namazi led the charge with 11 points, while Arash Ashrafi and Amirreza Faramarzi added 7 apiece. Despite a spirited effort, Cui Enqi and Lau Chi Ho each scored 10 points for the Hong Kong side.
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium, Korea delivered a gritty performance to notch their first win, outlasting Chinese Taipei in a pulsating 3-2 (25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 16-25, 15-12) encounter that lasted 126 minutes.
The Korean squad, led by the brilliant Kim Onyou with 25 points and the dynamic duo of Kong Kyungmin and Seo Donghyeon, who added 24 and 21 points respectively, fought through a spirited comeback by Chinese Taipei. Ni Tuan-Shan topped the scoring for Chinese Taipei with 19 points, supported by Hsu Tau-Lo (17) and Zheng Wen-Guan (10).
Korea now set their sights on Saudi Arabia, while Chinese Taipei face a rematch of their previous edition’s bronze-medal match against Pakistan.
Pakistan, fresh from their opening victory over Korea, continued their dominant form with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-12) rout of Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad Junaid led with 14 points, including 10 kills. Mukhtar Saeed was the standout for Saudi Arabia with 11 points.
In Pool C, Japan were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory (25-0, 25-0, 25-0) after the United Arab Emirates failed to appear at the competition venue. Subsequently, the UAE were disqualified from the tournament, with all their scheduled matches recorded as forfeits.
Uzbekistan, silver medallists from the previous edition, regrouped impressively to down Mongolia in straight sets (26-24, 25-19, 25-19).
Eshburi Khudoyberdiev led with 16 points, while Ganbaatar Buyandelger posted 10 points in a valiant effort for Mongolia.
On Monday, the last day of the pool play, Indonesia will take on Hong Kong, China at 10.00 local time (GMT/UTC: +7.00) in Pool B at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium, while China will go up against India in Pool A at 12.30. Another two encounters at the same venue here see Iran face Kazakhstan in Pool B at 15.00 and hosts Thailand lock horns with Australia in Pool A at 17.30.
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium, Saudi Arabia will challenge Korea at 10.00 in Pool D, followed by the match between Mongolia and United Arab Emirates in Pool C at 12.30. Chinese Taipei will take on Pakistan in Pool D at 15.00, with Japan meeting Uzbekistan in Pool C at 17.30.
Tuesday, July 15 is the rest day for recovery.
Watch live matches through AVC YouTube
Click the link below for match schedule, results and photos
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MATCH RESULTS
At Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium
Pool B: Indonesia b Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-14, 25-15, 18-25, 25-11)
Pool B: Iran b Hong Kong, China 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-17)
Pool A: Thailand b China 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-19)
Pool A: India b Australia 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-18)
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium
Pool D: Korea b Chinese Taipei 3-2 (25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 16-25, 15-12)
Pool D: Pakistan b Saudi Arabia 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-12)
Pool C: Japan b United Arab Emirates 3-0 (25-00, 25-00, 25-00)
Pool C: Uzbekistan b Mongolia 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 25-19)
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