Urmia, Iran, August 21, 2023 – Pakistan found Korea a tough nut to crack to go down 1-3 in the preliminary Pool F clash on Monday for the first loss at the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship at Al-Ghadir Hall 1 here.
After a straight-set win to Bangladesh in their previous matches, Korea and Pakistan came into the court with confidence to fight for the top spot of the table.
Pakistan along with the FIVB Coach Support Program with their Brazilian head coach Issanaye Ramires Ferraz played well in the first set against the Koreans and won the hard-fought first set 28-26.
The Korean squad were not willing to give up as they engineered an aggressive fightback and thanks to the tightened defence and back-to-back attacks in crucial moments, they annulled Pakistan’s spectacular attacks for the impressive 25-20 win in the second set.
Korea managed to give Pakistan trouble in the third set but the Pakistanis severally tried to level it and revive their high hopes of winning the set. Still, Korea regrouped and held firm to seal the third 32-30 and went on their exceptional form to take the fourth set 25-22 and match.
Heo Subong chipped in with 26 points for Korea, while Murad Khan led Pakistan with 23 points.
Despite the loss, Pakistan moved up to the second round as the second team of Pool F with 3 points following the single victory over Bangladesh. Korea topped Pool F with 6 points following two straight wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan.
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