Teams start training at the competition venue ahead of the 1st Asian Men’s U16 Championship matchday
China and Saudi Arabia are set for the opening clash, but the highly-anticipated clash between Iran and Japan is expected to headline the Day 1’s action of the 1st Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan between July 22 and 29, 2023.
The historic continental championship, which serves as the Asia’s qualification tournament for the next year’s inaugural FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship, has attracted 14 teams to vie for top honor and three berths up for grabs for the world meet. However, due to the late withdrawal of Bahrain and India, only 12 teams are confirmed to strut their stuff in the championship.
The eight-day tournament has been split into four pools – Pools A, B, C and D. Hosts Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, China are in Pool A, while Pool B consists of Thailand and Australia (Bahrain and India withdrew). Saudi Arabia joined Iran, China and Japan in Pool C, with Pool D featuring Pakistan, Mongolia and Chinese Taipei.
The final preparation was thoroughly reviewed by the Control Committee, led by Dr Eom Han-Joo, himself President and Technical Delegate. The joint meeting between the Control Committee and the local organisers as well as the venue inspection at the competition hall inside the Yunusobod Sports Complex and the preliminary inquiry were held a few days ahead of the matchday.
Directed by Referee Delegate Mr Ibrahim Mohd Al-Naama from Qatar and two Referee Sub Committees, Mr Adel Hussein Al-Harbi from Kuwait and Dr Joo Dong Wook from Korea, and VIS Delegate Mr Viktor Kazin from Kazakhstan, the Referee & VIS Clinic was also conducted successfully on Friday. This was to make sure all is set and everything in its right place before the official kickoff of the top-tier championship on July 22.
Teams will play pool round-robin preliminaries, with top two teams from each pool split to two pools of four teams apiece in Pool E (Pools A and C) and Pool F (Pools B, D) and teams finishing 3rd and 4th places in each pool contesting Classification Round in Pools G and H for ranking 9-12 (9-14 due to the late withdrawal of Bahrain and India).
Only top two teams from Pools E and F will advance to the cross semifinals, while teams finishing 3rd and 4th in both pools will contest the Classification Round for 5th-8th places.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia will challenge China in the opening clash at 10am local time, followed by the match between Pakistan and Chinese Taipei. Iran and Japan, regarded as two Asian powerhouses and strong teams to be reckoned with in this championship, set up a tough match at 3pm and Hong Kong, China will take on hosts Uzbekistan at 5.30pm.
Top three teams at the end of the championship will secure their berths in the next year’s inaugural FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship.
Earlier, the Asian Women’s U16 Championship was concluded in Hangzhou, China where Japan, China and Chinese Taipei made the podium and qualified for the next year’s FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship.
POOLS
Pool A: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, China
Pool B: Thailand and Australia
Pool C: Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and Japan
Pool D: Pakistan, Mongolia and Chinese Taipei
MATCH SCHEDULE
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