Ardabil, Iran, May 5, 2017 – Pakistan pulled off a dramatic 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-21) victory over Malaysia in their second playoff match at the round of last eight teams to taste their first win at the SMM 2nd Asian Men’s U23 Volleyball Championship at the 6,000-seater Rezazadeh Indoor Stadium on Friday, the fifth day of the top-flight competition.
The solid blocks of Reza Fahad and Abdul Zaheer of Pakistan and their excellent teamwork helped keep their hopes to make it to the semi-finals alive.
Malaysia got off to a brilliant start to win the close first set 25-23, but from then on, Pakistan did not allow the Malaysians any opportunity to continue their good show as they stormed back with superb form to win the remaining three sets 25-13 25-21 25-21.
Pakistan’s team manager Muhammad Nawaz Khan said after the match: “I have a good team. We could have beaten China on Thursday, but my players lost to the big name of China. If we play Iran again, the match result would be 60 to 40 in favour of Iran as I am the only person in this stadium who can clap for my team and Iran have so many passionate fans. The reason why we lost the first set of this match against Malaysia was our setter’s mistake. However, we soon regained our team work and beat the Malaysians.”
Jian Qin Sim led Malaysia with massive 28 points, but failed to help his team win the match.
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