Urmia, Iran, August 20, 2023 – Hong Kong, China succumbed to two successive losses on Sunday to be assured of missing the cut for ranking 1-12 in the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship at the 3,000-seater Al-Ghadir Hall 1.
The disappointing 14-25, 15-25, 16-25 loss to Iran on Sunday has definitely relegated Hong Kong, China to the Classification Round for 13th-17th places as Mongolia had earlier withdrawn from the championship to be placed on the bottom 18th place.
Going down in five sets to Iraq in their opening Pool A match the previous day, Hong Kong, China played a must-win match against mighty Iran to keep their hopes of advancing to round of the top 12 alive as only top two teams from each pool will be advancing. However, following the two consecutive losses, Hong Kong, China’s dreams have completely been shattered.
Hong Kong, China, hoping to make amends for their first loss on Saturday, could not find their rhythm against the home side in front of 7000 fans in the first two sets against Iran and found the rivals too good as they easily went down 14-25, 15-25.
Thanks to the tightened defence and back-to-back attacks in crucial moments, Iran annulled the Hong Kong, China’s fightback for the impressive 25-16 win in the third set.
Amin Esmaeilnezhad and Saber Kazemi led Iran with 8 points apiece, while Wing Chun Wong scored 3 points for Hong Kong, China.
Iran on Monday will challenge Iraq in their last preliminary match to decide the Pool A winners, while Hong Kong, China will have a rest day, ready to contest ranking 13-18.
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