China in first-match action against Saudi Arabia
Iran, China, Pakistan and hosts Uzbekistan got their first Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship campaigns off to winning starts, with the Iranians bouncing back from losing the first two sets to stun Japan in epic tie-breaker at Hall 1 inside the Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Saturday.
The championship, which is being held from July 22 to 29, served as the Asia’s qualification tournament for the next year’s inaugural FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship, where only top three teams from the Asian meet will make the cut for the World Championship.
In the opening Pool C match, China managed a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-12) shutout of Saudi Arabia to bag the first 3 points in the championship.
The other encounter in the same pool, Iran did it in memorable fashion as they bounced back from their loss to Japan in the first two sets 22-25, 17-25, but regained their composure and hit back mightily with spectacular attacks and effective blocks to win the remaining three sets 25-20, 25-22, 15-10 for a stunning 3-2 upset of the Japanese side. Following the tie-break win, Iran took only 2 points, leaving the Japanese to get one.
At the end of the opening day, China went atop the Pool C standing, followed by Iran, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabians will next go up against Japan, hoping to regain their lost pride and get themselves back on track. With only top two teams through to the next round, both Japan and Saudi Arabia are expected to give their best on Sunday to keep hopes of advancing to the next round alive.
A daunting task also awaits Iran on Sunday when they will face off against China, looking for their second win in a row in the championship and a chance to surge to the top of Pool C.
In Pool D, Pakistan made a strong start in the historic continent championship to pull off a comfortable straight-set 25-15, 25-18, 25-16 win against Chinese Taipei, while hosts Uzbekistan enjoyed the first-day victory against Hong Kong, China after demolishing the spirited visitors in straight sets 25-15, 25-16, 25-17 in Pool A.
On Sunday, Chinese Taipei will take on Mongolia, seeking their first win in Tashkent, while Hong Kong, China will go up against Kazakhstan, playing their first match in this championship.
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