Japan picked up bronze after 3-1 demolition of Qatar
Hangzhou, China, September 26, 2023 – Iran were on cloud nine on Tuesday night following their terrific comeback win against hosts China in the final showdown of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Men’s Volleyball Competition at Linping Sports Center Gymnasium to stretch their invincibility in the continental multi-sports extravaganza to three in succession.
The dramatic 3-1 (19-25, 25-14, 25-22, 26-24) win on Tuesday handed Iran their unprecedented hat trick in the quadrennial sports event. More importantly, it restored the Iran’s pride lost in the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship last month when they, as defending successive two-time champions, succumbed to a painful straight-set loss of pride to indomitable Japan in the final clash on their home soil in Urmia. The Iran’s victory also shattered Chinese dreams of ending their 25-year Asian Games gold-medal drought.
China, current world No.27 which captured the 2022 AVC Cup title to their name, had claimed gold medal in the Asian Games for three times in 1986 in Seoul, Korea, 1990 on home soil in Beijing and 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand, but since then had never repeated the feat. In the 2006 Doha Games in Qatar, the Chinese were just one step away from stardom, but had to leave the venue with heads low in disappointment following their 1-3 loss to eventual winners Korea in the showdown.
In a highly-anticipated final clash on Tuesday, China, strong with the likes of star spiker Zhang Jingyin, delighted home fans with their solid start and stunning 25-19 win in the first set against Iran, current world No.11 and former four-time Asian champions.
However, the Iranians shrugged off rust in time and bounced back mightily. As the Chinese nerves began to fray and came up with more unforced mistakes in the second set, Iran advanced with a two-point clear at 15-13 lead and with Shahrooz Homyoun Farmanesh and Amirhossein Esfandiar on fire in attack, they managed to hold on to their advantage. To all’s astonishment, the Iranians were incredibly dominant with 8 points in a row scored against the host side and gave no chance of coming back to the opponents for the astonishing 25-14 win in the totally one-sided set.
Devastating left-hander Saber Kazemi’s intensity and threat on offense made him one of the most difficult to defend against from the right side. He was hard-hitting and heavy-scoring opposite, and a game-changer, joined forced by Shahrooz and Esfandiar, that carried Iran to the win in the next two sets 25-22, 26-24 for the eventual victory and gold medal in the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.
China also showcased their prowess with swift counter-attacks and efficient blocks, but made more mistakes in some crucial moments which could lead them to winning in the last two sets. However, they just let the opportunity slip through their fingers.
Outside hitter Shahrooz Homyoun Farmanesh chipped in with 17 points from 13 attacks and 4 blocks for Iran, while opposite spiker Saber Kazemi and outside hitter Amirhossein Esfandiar kept good company to add 14 points apiece.
Outside hitter Zhang Jingyin scored a match-high 19 points including 14 attacks from 30 attempts in the China’s loss.
According to the match stats, Iran dominated in kills (55 to 40) and ace serves (6 to 5), but China fared better in blocks (11 to 6) besides benefiting from more opponent errors (29 to 28).
In the third-place playoff earlier, Japan, world No.5 and Asian champions but fielding second-string squad in the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, survived a huge scare from Qatar, current world No.17 and silver medallists at the 2023 FIVB Challenger Cup on home soil, to pull off a hard-fought 3-1 (37-35, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23) win for bronze medal. Qatar, which clinched bronze medal at the last month’s Asian Championship in Iran, returned with a well-earned fourth place.
Outside hitter Yudai Arai emerged as the Japan’s top scorer with 22 points including 21 kills from 38 attempts, while opposite spiker Keihan Takahashi and outside hitter Kenta Takanashi contributed 20 and 19 points respectively in the team’s victory. Outside hitter Raimi Wadidie led Qatar with 20 points including 19 attacks.
At China Textile City Sports Center Gymnasium, Pakistan took the fifth position after 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-23) rout of India in the 5th-6th place playoff.
Opposite spiker Murad Khan led the Pakistan’s offense with a team-high 20 points from 17 kills, 2 block and one ace, while outside hitter Erin Vaghese scored 11 points on the India’s losing effort.
Korea, current world No.27 and silver medallists at the previous 2018 Asiad in Indonesia, were ranked 7th place in Hangzhou.
Opposite spiker Heo Subong was unstoppable force of Korea to score a match-high 29 points from 24 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces, while outside hitter Fahri Septian Putratama chipped in with 20 points in the Indonesia’s loss.
The 9th-10th playoff clash saw Kazakhstan, which finished a disappointing 17th at the previous 2018 Asian Games, manage a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-22) shutout against AVC Challenger Cup winners Thailand to return with 9th position this time. Thailand ended their Asian Games campaign in 10th place, the similar outcome achieved at the last month’s Asian Championship in Iran.
Outside hitter Vladislav Kunchenko delivered 17 points including 15 kills from 28 attempts for Kazakhstan, while opposite spiker Napadet Nhinijdee led Thailand with 13 points including 11 attacks.
Mr Wei Jizhong
Mrs Rita Subowo
Mr Fabio Azevedo
FIVB and AVC Honorary Life President Mr Wei Jizhong, himself OCA Honorary Life Vice President, AVC President Mrs Rita Subowo and FIVB General Director Mr Fabio Azevedo were among guests of honor joining in the awarding ceremony on Tuesday night to present medals and bouquets of flowers to medallists.
Gold medal: Iran
China – Silver
Japan – Bronze medal
Top three podium – Iran, China and Japan
MATCH RESULTS
COMPETITION SUMMARY
MEDALLISTS
FINAL STANDING
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