Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, July 18, 2025 – The stage is set, the stakes are sky-high, and the spotlight now shines on Saturday’s grand finale of the Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship Thailand 2025, where unbeaten Pakistan will rekindle their rivalry with reigning champions Iran in a clash that promises fireworks at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium.
On the penultimate day of this eight-day spectacle of youth volleyball, Iran, still stinging from a 1-3 loss to Pakistan in the 1–8 Classification Pool F, came roaring back with a commanding 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-19) triumph over Japan in the semifinals, handing the previously undefeated side their first defeat of the tournament.
Pakistan
Iran
Now, the defending champions will have a golden opportunity to turn the tables on their archrivals in Saturday’s final, a much-anticipated rematch for continental supremacy. Pakistan, the only unbeaten team in the competition, stayed flawless after sweeping India with clinical efficiency 25-16, 25-19, 25-12 in Friday’s second semifinal.
All four semifinalists, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, and India, have punched their tickets to the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship, but the title of Asia’s best remains up for grabs. As the final looms, Japan and India will vie for bronze in the third-place playoff.
Against a traditionally disciplined Japanese side, Iran delivered a masterclass in control, power, and precision. Azhvan Namazi led the Iranian onslaught, tearing through the Japanese defense with 15 points, including 13 kills and two aces. Radan Salehi and Amirreza Faramarzi chipped in 10 points apiece to bolster the effort.
Japan’s offense failed to find their rhythm under relentless Iranian pressure, with only Hayato Konishide reaching double digits, scoring 11 attack points in the losing effort.
The dominance of Iran was underlined by the match stats: they led in attacks (47–27), blocks (3–2), and aces (5–2), while Japan benefitted from more opponent errors (30–20).
Riding high on confidence from their historic win over Iran earlier in the week, Pakistan kept their foot on the gas, dismantling India in straight sets.
The unstoppable Muhammad Junaid was once again at the heart of Pakistan’s success, topping all scorers with 19 points including 11 attacks, four blocks, and four aces. Faizan Ullah and Muhammad Talha Mehar added 12 and 7 points respectively.
India struggled to penetrate Pakistan’s ironclad defense as no Indian player scored in double figures. Apratim Bhadauriya led with seven points, while Shivam Singh and Abdulla Abdulla followed with six apiece.
Pakistan outshone India across all departments: blocks (13–4), attacks (37–25), aces (5–4), and opponent errors (20–14), a testament to their remarkable all-round performance.
In the 5–8 Classification Round at the same venue, Uzbekistan, silver medallists at the previous edition on their home soil, battled from a 1–2 set deficit to edge Korea in a pulsating five-set duel 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 25-16, 15-11).
Khakim Begimkulov was on fire, leading all scorers with 23 points (17 attacks, 5 blocks, 1 ace), while Ozodbek Rahimjonov and Eshburi Khudoyberdiev added 21 and 12 respectively. Kang Kyungmin led Korea’s scoring with 18 points, all but one coming from attacks.
In another heart-stopping contest, Indonesia held their nerve to outlast hosts Thailand in a gripping five-setter 3-2 (25-20, 16-25, 26-24, 16-25, 15-10).
Bayu Pamungkas and Muktiadhi Permana emerged as Indonesia’s main weapons, scoring 27 and 20 points respectively, while Raka Dwi Prasetyo contributed 16. Pariwat Toehem remained Thailand’s go-to scorer, racking up 25 points including 23 kills from 46 swings. Chutiphol Thurakit and Anawit Chanthanaree added 19 and 11 in support.
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium, Chinese Taipei, bronze medallists at both the previous episode of Asian U16 and the 2024 FIVB U17 World Championship, pulled off a monumental comeback, overturning a two-set deficit to defeat China in a grueling five-set classic 3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-13, 15-12) that lasted 115 minutes.
Hsu Tzu-Lo tallied 17 points from attacks, while Zheng Wen-Guan and Wang Cheng-Fong added 14 and 13 points. China’s Guang Xiaoyang led all scorers with 17 points, including 12 kills from 38 attempts.
Mongolia turned the tables on Kazakhstan, rallying from two sets down to clinch a hard-fought 3-2 (25-27, 13-25, 25-19, 26-24, 15-11) victory.
Sainbayar Batbold spearheaded the comeback with 19 points (16 attacks, 1 block, 2 aces), while Buyandelger Ganbaatar and Badrakh Batjargal supported with 16 and 11 respectively. Beibarys Yerkoksheyev led Kazakhstan with 19 in the loss.
In the 13–16 Classification Round, Australia overcame a slow start to edge Hong Kong, China in a rollercoaster five-set battle 3-2 (12-25, 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 16-14).
Dylan Ottaway was again a pillar of strength, notching 17 points including 12 kills, 4 blocks, and an ace. Charles Davis and Flynn Niu added 16 apiece. On the opposing side, Lau Chi Ho put in a valiant solo effort with a match-high 23 points, but his heroics fell just short.
Saudi Arabia were awarded a walkover victory after United Arab Emirates were disqualified following an earlier forfeiture against Japan.
With the championship reaching its climax, teams are now gearing up for one final push, their last hurrah on the continental stage. The final day of action in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi promises an electrifying blend of ambition, pride, and passion, as teams leave it all on the court.
Once the dust settles, the awards presentation and closing ceremony will officially bring the curtain down on the 2025 edition of Asia’s premier youth volleyball showcase.
Watch live matches through AVC YouTube
Click the link below for match schedule, results and photos
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MATCH RESULTS
At Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium
5-8 Classification Round
Indonesia b Thailand 3-2 (25-20, 16-25, 26-24, 16-25, 15-10)
Uzbekistan b Korea 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 25-16, 15-11)
Semifinals
Iran b Japan 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-19)
Pakistan b India 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-12)
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium
13-16 Classification Round
Saudi Arabia 3-0 bye
Australia b Hong Kong, China 3-2 (12-25, 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 16-14)
9-12 Classification Round
Mongolia b Kazakhstan 3-2 (25-27, 13-25, 25-19, 26-24, 15-11)
Chinese Taipei b China 3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-13, 15-12)
MATCH SCHEDULE
July 19, 2025
Final Day
At Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium
10.00: 7-8 playoff: Thailand v Korea
12.30: 5-6 playoff: Indonesia v Uzbekistan
15.00: Bronze medal match: Japan v India
17.30: Championship match: Pakistan v Iran
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium
10.00: 13-14 playoff: Australia v Saudi Arabia
12.30: 11-12 playoff: Kazakhstan v China
15.00: 9-10 playoff: Mongolia v Chinese Taipei
17.30: 15-16 playoff: Hong Kong, China bye
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