It was at this time that Iran emerged as unstoppable force, as the continental powerhouses proved too strong for Kyrgyzstan2 to cruise past the host side in comfortable straight sets to stay atop the standing in the single round-robin 2023 Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Men’s Volleyball Nation’s League at the Sports and Recreation Complex Gazprom in Cholpon-Ata on Saturday.
Fresh from capturing dramatic 3-1 victory against Kyrgyzstan, champions at the last year’s 3rd AVC Men’s Challenge Cup, the formidable Iranians remained in brilliant form to manage a 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-17) shutout of Kyrgyzstan2 and lead the current team standings on a 5-0 win-loss record and impressive set record of 15-1, looking set to emerge as the eventual winners in this tournament.
Iran made a strong start in the first set against Kyrgyzstan2 on Saturday, with outside hitter Mahan Barzkar and middle blocker Taha Behboudnia on fire to help the team take the thrilling set 25-20.
After holding a 1-0 advantage, the Iranians kept the upper hand through the rest of the match to capture the second and third sets without much effort 25-14, 25-17 for the eventual straight-set match.
Mahan Barzkar chipped in with 14 points including 11 attacks for Iran, while Taha Behboudnia and Abolfazl Mahdian added 13 and 10 points respectively. Kanybek Uulu Koshoi and Abylkasymov Nooruzbek handed Kyrgyzstan2 12 points apiece on the team’s losing effort.
Iran stayed atop the standing with unchallenged 15 points from five straight wins, while Kyrgyzstan2 dropped to the fifth position with 5 points from 2 wins against 3 losses.
Meanwhile, powerful Kanybek Uulu Onobek scored a team-high 20 points to steer hosts Kyrgyzstan to a straight-set win against Mongolia. The convincing 25-20, 25-18, 25-19 victory moved Kyrgyzstan to the second spot at the standing with 12 points from 4 wins against one loss to Iran.
Kyrgyzstan fared better in almost all elements with 41 attack and 11 block points, but both sides had similar 2 service winners.
Kanybek Uulu Onobek registered 20 points from 15 attacks, 4 blocks and one ace serve in the Kyrgyzstan’s victory. No double-digit markers could be produced by Mongolia, with Battur Batsuuri scoring 8 points including 7 attacks on the loss.
Earlier, Uzbekistan survived a huge scare from Turkmenistan to put it past the fighting rivals in hard-fought five-set thriller 26-24, 21-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12.
Kuchkorov Azizbek contributed 19 points including 13 attacks and 5 blocks for Uzbekistan, while Gulyyev Mithun led Turkmenistan with 17 points.
The single round-robin competition continues on Sunday, the final day of the tournament, with Nepal taking on Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan challenging Iran and Kyrgyzstan facing Kyrgyzstan2.
MATCH RESULTS AND TEAM STANDING
MATCH SCHEDULE
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