Hangzhou, China, September 22, 2023 – Title race heats up at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Men’s Volleyball Competition, as six unbeaten teams stamped their marks as strong title contenders and Korea and Chinese Taipei, respective silver and bronze medallists at the previous 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, suffered major setbacks to stay out of contention.
Top 12 teams battled it out in the topflight competition to strive for Top 6 slots on Friday. Iran, Japan, China, Qatar, India and Pakistan accomplished their goals and continued unbeaten streaks, while Thailand, Korea, Bahrain, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan went down to their respective opponents in cross matches in last 12 round and were relegated to classification round for ranking 7-12.
At Linping Sports Center Gymnasium on Friday, indomitable Iran, defending and consecutive two-time Asian Games winners, powered their way into the Top 6 round following their exceptional straight-set 25-21, 25-18, 25-16 win against AVC Challenge Cup champions Thailand.
Middle blocker Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi and outside hitter Amirhossin Esfandiar combined well in leading the Iran’s offense with 11 points each, while devastating left-hander Amin Esmaeilnezhad and middle blocker Mohammad Valizadeh kept good company to add 10 points apiece.
Opposite spiker Napadet Bhinijdee contributed 16 points, all in attack, for Thailand.
“I think Thailand played well in reception and attacks. They had good transition, playing with high level. We watched their matches for 5-6 times and had good analysis. We had good tactics. However, our third match today took place in different venue we used to play in and the starting time at 10am for us is very difficult. However, this is a problem for every team. Our target is to defend our Asian Games title. Everyone in my team was satisfied with the result. We need more times, but we will play only five matches here. The other teams will play six matches and we next have a rest day. Thailand head coach Mr Park Ki Won coached Iran before and I think he knew Iranian players very well. Overall, I’m happy with my team’s performance. They played well with good attack, service and kill blocks,” Iran assistant coach Mr Alireza Taloo Kian commented after the match.
Thailand setter Mawin Maneewong said, “I think it’s a tough match and our performance dropped after we went down to Qatar the previous day. I admit that my performance also dropped despite the fact that it was my first day to have a chance to play in the Hangzhou Asian Games here. Actually, our team’s target is to enter the semifinals. However, when we let our target slip through our fingers following our loss in the match against Qatar yesterday, we have to admit the fact that we have to deal with a much tougher match against Iran today. ”
In the second match, mighty Japan, world No. 5, Asian champions and bronze medallists at the 2023 VNL but fielding their second-string squad in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, remained on course following their sensational straight-set 25-22, 25-21, 25-15 triumph over world No.59 Kazakhstan on Friday.
Keihan Takahashi chipped in with 17 points including 15 kills from 25 attempts for Japan, while Masahiro Yanagida and Kenta Takanashi added another 15 and 12 points respectively. Maxim Michshenko led Kazakhstan with 11 points.
The day’s last match at this competition venue saw hosts and last year’s AVC Cup champions China face a stiff challenge from Indonesia to put it past the fighting Southeast Asian powerhouses in well-fought four-setter 25-17, 25-17, 23-25, 25-22.
Star spiker Zhang Jingyin scored a match-high 20 points from 15 attacks, four blocks and one ace for China, while Fahri Septian Putratama was the most productive Indonesia player with 15 points including 14 kills from 23 attempts.
At China Textile City Sports Center Gymnasium in Keqiao, formidable Qatar remained unstoppable as the world No.17 and silver medallists at the 2023 FIVB Men’s Challenger Cup on home soil pulled off dramatic 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 25-17) win against Bahrain, current world No.74.
Outside hitter Raimi Wadidie delivered 18 points from 14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces for Qatar, while outside hitter Mohamed Yaqoob Abdulla scored 18 points including 16 attacks from 35 attempts on the Bahrain’s losing effort.
Fast-improving India also continued their remarkable run in the Hangzhou-hosted continental multi-sports extravaganza. The Indians, who finished a disappointing 12th place at the previous 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and 11th position at the last month’s Urmia-hosted Asian Senior Men’s Championship in Iran, shattered Chinese Taipei’s dreams of a podium finish this time following their hard-fought 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) win against the team which picked up bronze medal at the previous Asian Games five years ago. In their Pool C earlier, world No.73 India also stunned Korea, silver medallists at the 2018 Asian Games, in closely-contested five sets.
Outside hitter Amit led the India’s charge with 16 points from 13 attacks and 3 blocks, while Rai Ashwal and Vinit Kumar added another 14 and 12 points respectively.
Left-hander Wu Tsung-Hsuan scored a team-high 21 points including 20 kills from 34 attempts in the Chinese Taipei’s loss.
The last encounter at the same competition venue here saw world No.51 Pakistan give Korea another upset loss. The Koreans, former three-time Asian Games winners and silver medallists at the previous 2018 Asiad in Indonesia, went down in straight sets 19-25, 22-25, 21-25 to the well-organized Pakistan, under the guidance of Brazilian coach Issanaye Ramires Ferraz.
Outside hitter Ali Usman Faryad topscored with 20 points including 19 attacks from 35 attempts for Pakistan, while opposite spiker Murad Khan added another 19 points. Opposite spiker Heo Subong scored 11 points on the Korea’s stunning loss.
As Saturday is the rest day, allowing all athletes taking part in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 a once-in-lifetime experience and chances to attend the dazzling Official Opening Ceremony, with Chinese President Xi Jinping set to declare the Games open.
The men’s volleyball competition resumes on Sunday in the ranking round for 1-6 at China Textile City Sports Center Gymnasium, with Pakistan challenging Qatar and India going up against Japan. The classification round for 7-12 at Linping Sports Center Gymnasium sees Chinese Taipei taking on Kazakhstan and Korea facing Bahrain.
Title-holders Iran and hosts China progressed directly to the semifinals, while Thailand and Indonesia each received a bye on Sunday to advance to the 7-10 matchups. Iran, China and Thailand, Indonesia will get back to the competition courts on Monday, September 25, the penultimate day of the men’s volleyball competition in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Men’s Volleyball Competition.
MATCH SCHEDULE
COMPETITION SUMMARY 1
COMPETITION SUMMARY 2
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