In-form Iran pulled off sensational straight-set victory against Mongolia to move atop the standing on Day 4 of the 2023 Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Men’s Volleyball Nation’s League at the Sports and Recreation Complex Gazprom in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.
After a day for rest and recovery, the single round-robin competition resumed on Thursday. Only Kyrgyzstan enjoyed two rest days including Wednesday, the rest day for every team. The host team also had another rest day on Thursday.
Iran, which claimed consecutive two wins against Uzbekistan and Nepal, still had a perfect run on Thursday following their straight-set win against Mongolia, scoring 25-20, 25-17, 25-21 in 67 minutes.
Mahdian Abolfazl was on fire, scoring a match-high 20 points from 18 attacks and 2 blocks for Iran, while Gantulga Tsend-Ayush led Mongolia with 12 points including 10 attacks from 19 attempts.
Iran proved much stronger in almost every skill, scoring 42 attacks against Mongolia’s 32 with 9 blocks and 3 aces. Both sides had the similar 21 opponents’ errors.
Iran now have 9 points from three straight wins without dropping a set to their respective rivals to go atop the 7-team standing. However, a tough task awaits Iran on Friday when they will go up against unbeaten Kyrgyzstan.
Winning the last year’s 3rd AVC Men’s Challenge Cup to their name, hosts Kyrgyzstan also had 9 points from three successive wins. It’s possible that the highly-anticipated match between Iran and Kyrgyzstan on Friday may determine the eventual winners of the tournament despite the fact that there are three more days to go ahead of the conclusion of the eight-day tournament.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan brushed off Kyrgyzstan2 in comfortable three-setter 25-21, 25-16, 25-18 for first win in the tournament.
Going down 0-3 to Kyrgyzstan and Iran in their first two matches on June 18 and June 19, Uzbekistan performed superbly in this match against Kyrgyzstan2 as they proved much stronger in every skill, attacking 34 points against Kyrgyzstans’ 24. The visitors also produced better performance with 8 blocks and 10 aces.
Sabirov Islomjon chipped in with 16 points including 11 attacks for Uzbekistan. No Kyrgystan2 player scored double-digit markers, with Abdimomun Uulu Iliaz leading the team with 7 points including 6 attacks.
The third match was more thrilling as Turkmenistan struggled to beat Nepal in hard-fought four-setter 25-18, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20.
Nuryyev Didar led in scoring for the Turkmenistan’s victory, firing 16 attacks and blocking 3, while Gulyyev Mithun and Atayev Rahat kept good company to add 17 and 13 points respectively. Shrestha Man Bahadur scored a team-high 22 points including 21 attacks on Nepal’s losing effort.
On Friday, Iran challenge hosts Kyrgyzstan, while Uzbekistan take on Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan2 play Nepal.
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