Manama, Bahrain, July 29, 2024 – Defending champions Japan, China, Chinese Taipei and Iran made it two in succession in their pools to secure Top 8 berths in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship at Isa Sport City Hall C on Monday.
The Japanese posted a three-set sweep of Saudi Arabia in Pool B. Joining them in the top-tier competition’s next stage are Chinese Taipei from the same group and Iran and China from Pool C – all of them emerged triumphant on Monday.
The remaining four slots in the Top 8 round could also be expected from Thailand, Australia and Hong Kong China in Pool A and Pakistan, Korea and India from Pool D.
Thailand had already claimed two wins in a row, but they had only 5 points. They face a must-win match against Hong Kong, China on Tuesday to safely progress to the Top 8. Hong Kong, China had 2 points from one win against one loss. However, if they happen to stun Thailand in straight sets on Tuesday, there will be three teams to be tied at top with similar 2-1 win/loss record. Thus, the stunning win against Thailand on Tuesday will earn Hong Kong, China 3 points for the similar 5 points as Thailand . If so, Hong Kong, China will have better sets ratio and surge ahead the Thais for a better position in the Pool A standing.
At the same time, Australia are now trailing in second place with 3 points from one win against one loss. They are due to take on winless Bahrain on Tuesday. A possible 3-0 or 3-1 win against the host side will put Australia to the top of the Pool A standing with 6 points (in case Thailand will go down in straight sets to Hong Kong, China on Tuesday).
The same situation is in Pool D, where Pakistan registered two straight wins, but had only 5 points. Korea came in second place with 4 points from one win against one loss, with India in third position with 3 points from one win against one loss. Kuwait had already lost two matches.
Pakistan are due to take on Kuwait on Tuesday and they need either 3-0 or 3-1 win to ensure their possibility to advance to the Top 8. However, if Pakistan happen to go down 0-3 or 1-3 to Kuwait, their chances of progressing will run into trouble. Korea will play India on Tuesday and the match outcome can change the Pakistan’s fortunes.
The Elite Eight will be completed on Tuesday when the pool round-robin preliminaries will come to a conclusion. Eight matches are once again scheduled for the two competition arenas at Isa Sports City, located on the outskirts of the capital city of Manama.
On Monday, Japan had a dominant showing in their exceptional 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-14) triumph against Saudi Arabia. Three players finished in double figures for the Japanese, led by Rei Iwata with 11 points. Karen Masajedi and Sawa Maeda each contributed 10 in the win. Gasem Altwal and Saeed Mukhtar top scored for the Saudi Arabians with 8 points apiece.
Japan are now set to face off against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday for Pool B supremacy.
Chinese Taipei had a more difficult outing but did enough to oust Kazakhstan 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-25, 15-11). In the tie-break, after a 7-all deadlock, Cheng Hsin-Yueh gave them the lead for good and pulled away. Hu Jun-Xiang paced Chinese Taipei with 21 points, while Nurassyl Mukhtar and Vladislav Mastikhin each scored 19 for the Kazakhs.
In Pool C, Iran powered to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 27-25) decision against the Philippines on Monday, led by Noureyni Amir Naderi and Amirmohammad Rafieirad, who finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Luke Anton Carl Macatangay was the top scorer for the Filipinos with 14.
China outclassed Lebanon 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-21) in another strong showing. Yu Xiang had 15 points and Li Xuyang contributed 14 in their victory. Serge Chehab was the best for Lebanon with 11 points.
Iran and China lock horns Tuesday for the right to claim first place in Pool C, while in Pool A, Australia, Hong Kong China and Bahrain remained in the hunt for a place in the top eight.
Bahrain can still go through despite losing to Thailand 2-3 (22-25, 27-25, 25-21, 17-25, 10-15) in a tough contest on Monday night.
After giving up the opening set, the Bahrainis had their backs against the wall but were able to pull off the win in the second. That changed the complexion of the match, and the home team were able to take advantage of their new-found momentum.
But the Thais remained resilient and edged their rivals in the fourth to force the tie-breaker, where they didn’t let up. They took advantage of a deflated Bahrain side, which lost their lead in a match for the second straight night, in yet another tough five-setter.
Sorasak Phunsanong and Kiarttisak Seta had 22 and 21 points respectively to spearhead Thailand, which claimed a second win in Pool A. Jassim Madan was once again the top player for Bahrain with 29 points in the loss.
Despite their defeat, the hosts earned a crucial point and must beat Australia on Tuesday to have any chance of claiming the other berth in the Elite Eight from Pool A.
The Australians bounced back on Monday from an opening defeat to beat Hong Kong, China 3-1 (25-19, 26-24, 23-25 , 28-26). Sionetupou Veamatahau and Hamilton Vincent supplied the winning points to close the match out with back-to-back attacks on the left wing.
Veamatahau finished as Australia’s top scorer with 24 points, while Jack Renner and Dan Moisescu added 14 apiece. Ching Kin Ko finished with 19 points for Hong Kong, China.
Hong Kong, China will play Thailand on Tuesday and face a must-win situation to have a shot at marching forward.
In Pool D on Monday, Pakistan posted a stunning 3-0 (25-20, 29-27, 25-15) victory over India to barge through to the next stage.
Muhammad Yahya led the way for Pakistanis in the game with 18 points, while Muhtad Ali Shah added 11 and Muhammad Anas had eight in the win. Harnoor Singh had 11 markers for the Indians.
Korea earned their first win – a convincing 3-0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-19) against Kuwait.
Yeongun Cho and Seungil Lee had 12 points apiece to lead the victors, while Sehoon Im chipped in 11. Naser Alsana and Salim Alshammari were the top scorers for the Kuwaitis with eight points each.
Pakistan will be looking to end the preliminaries with an unbeaten record when they face Kuwait on Tuesday, while India and Korea square off for a Top 8 spot.
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