Thailand and United Arab Emirates also made it next round
Riffa, Bahrain, August 23, 2022 – Two former champions Korea and China sealed consecutive two wins to secure their berths in the next round, as Japan lost both matches in their pool to become the first strong team to be relegated to classification round for 13th-18th places in the 21st Asian Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship at Isa Sports City Hall here on Tuesday.
Korea
China
With only three teams contesting each pool (A, B, C, D, E and F), only top two teams from each pool will make the cut for the next round for 1st-12th places. Teams finishing third in each team will be relegated to classification round for 13th-18th places. As a result, teams with two straight wins in the pool round-robin preliminaries are definitely sure of making the next round of the top teams.
Korea, former six-time winners and silver medallists at the previous edition also held here in 2018, did not drop a set to Qatar and Kuwait in their Pool C encounters to book their berth in the next round for 1st-12th places.
Kuwait attacks Korea
On Tuesday, Korea remained in irresistible form to brush off Kuwait in comfortable straight sets 25-14, 25-13, 25-17. On Wednesday, Kuwait and Qatar will play a must-win match to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
China spikes in the match against Chinese Taipei
In Pool F, China former four-time champions and fifth place at the previous edition, also captured two wins in a row to advance to the next round of 1st-12th places. Fresh from 3-1 rout of Pakistan in their opening clash on Monday, the Chinese bounced back from the first set down to Chinese Taipei in their Tuesday’s clash to see off the determined rivals in thrilling four-setter 23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-22.
With China through to the next round, Chinese Taipei and Pakistan have to come in full strength in their Wednesday’s clash to win the match and join China in that round.
Thailand celebrate victory against UAE
In Pool D, Thailand breezed past the United Arab Emirates in what could be a one-sided battle on Tuesday, winning 25-17, 25-18, 25-16.
UAE
However, due to the Kazakhstan’s withdrawal, Thailand and the UAE entered the next round with the former capturing the top spot in the pool and the latter finishing second.
Hong Kong, China attacks Bahrain
Hong Kong, China lost successive two matches in Pool A to suffer relegation to classification round for 13th-18th places. Saudi Arabia, which beat Hong Kong China 3-1 in their first match earlier, are due to challenge hosts Bahrain on Wednesday to fight it out for the top spot in this pool. Bahrain on Tuesday proved too strong for Hong Kong, China to pull off sensational straight-set 25-16, 25-18, 25-16 win.
Bahrain
Meanwhile, Japan, former three-time champions but a distant 13th position at the previous edition in 2018, faced a tough test against title-holders Iran in Pool B on Monday to go down in hard-fought five-set thriller 2-3.
Japan attacks India
Despite a brave fight to revive their fortunes the following day against India, the Japanese still found the going gets tough to succumb to bitter 1-3 (25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 23-25) defeat to the well-established Indians.
India
As Japan were relegated to classification round for 13th-18th places due to their straight two losses in Pool B, Iran and India will battle it out to strive for the top spot in this pool on Wednesday.
Australia and Iraq fight for ball over the net
In Pool E, three teams battled hard to steal the show and go atop the pool. Bangladesh recovered to beat Iraq 3-1 on Monday, but the Iraqis regained the lost pride to see off Australia with the same margin 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-22, 25-23) the following day to get such a high hope of advancing to the next round back on track.
Iraq
On Wednesday, Bangladesh and Australia will have to play with all they have to win the match. However, holding a 1-0 advantage from their first win against Iraq on Monday, Bangladesh need another feat on Wednesday to join the fray in the next round. However, if they happen to suffer the loss to Australia, the three-day performances in the pool plays of three teams – Bangladesh, Iraq and Australia, will be taken into account to determine the top two teams in Pool E to make the cut for the next round.
Australia
On the other hand, Australia will strut their stuff against Bangladesh in a must-win match to keep hopes of contesting the next round alive. A loss to the rivals in the Wednesday’s match means the Aussies’ relegation to classification round for 13th-18th places.
The pool round-robin preliminaries will run through Wednesday, while Thursday, August 25 is the rest day for rest and recovery. At the completion of the preliminaries on Wednesday (at 9pm local time at the Volleyball Hall 1 in Bahrain Development Center), the Control Committee, chaired by Mr Emile Jabbour, himself also Tournament Technical Delegate, have invited one representative from teams finishing first and second in each pool (A, B, C, D, E and F) to attend the drawing of lots for the second round (for 1st-12th places).
MATCH RESULTS & TEAM RANKING
WEDNESDAY’S MATCH SCHEDULE
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