Gresik, East Java, Indonesia, June 18, 2023 –The 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Women commenced on Sunday with host team Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, India and Vietnam won over their respective opponents at the Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gresik Gymnasium.
It was nearly a Sunday of sweeps, with three of the four victors taking straight-sets on their contenders.
Home team Indonesia were first to stage a sweep during their opening match against Macau, China. The hosts completed the 3-0 (25-7, 25-18, 25-8) win in just an hour’s worth of volleyball in Pool A.
Even with a good head-to-head card against the opponents, Indonesia head coach M. Alim Suseno fielded in his main squad as starters, then switched over to his substitutes in the succeeding sets.
Chinese Taipei likewise succeeded in straight sets 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-18) against Hong Kong, China in Pool B of the Preliminary Round.
Chinese Taipei head coach Chen Yu-An strategized similarly with Indonesia, as he played entire bench and shuffled between starters and substitutes.
“We are looking forward to playing against Indonesia in this competition. I think it will be a good match-up,” he said.
Meanwhile, India dropped their first set while eventually gaining a 3-1 match (13-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-14) against Australia in Pool C. Outside hitters Kambrath Poyilil Anushree and Nirmal posted double-digits, tallying 20 points and 14 points respectively. Australia’s Annelies Jones proved to be her team’s chief scorer, as she charted a match high of 19 points.
Vietnam capped off the evening with a 3-0 win (25-12, 25-17, 25-12) against Mongolia in Pool D.
The Preliminary Round continues until Wednesday, June 20; before heading into the cross-over Classification matches. Teams head to a rest and recovery day on Thursday, as play resumes with the Quarter-finals on Friday. Semi-finals matches are scheduled on Saturday, with the competition culminating with the Finals on Sunday, June 25.
The winning team will qualify and compete in the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup, scheduled from July 27-30, 2023. The eventual winners will then be promoted into the 2024 edition of Volleyball Nations League.
June 19, 2023 (Monday) Match Schedule
Philippines – Macau, China 14:00
Iran – Hong Kong, China 16:30
Uzbekistan – Vietnam 19:00
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation