Ninh Binh, Vietnam, July 5, 2017 – Fired-up Sarmayeh Bank from Iran moved a step closer to winning back-to-back titles at the SMM 2017 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship as they put it past fighting Al Arabi to set up a final showdown with old foes Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza from Japan on Thursday.
The Sarmayeh’s convincing 25-23 25-17 25-19 win over Al Arabi in the Wednesday’s semi-finals was as if they added insult to the Qataris’ injury. Sarmayeh Bank had already made their mark by brushing off Al Arabi 3-1 in the final clash to capture their maiden victory and 11th title for Iran.
In the showdown, Sarmayeh Bank will battle it out with Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza, the team they had already beaten in straight sets in the playoffs at the round of the last eight teams.
After the match, Sarmayeh Bank’s head coach Mostafa Karkhaneh commented, “Today we did our best to advance to the final round.This game against Al Arabi was very important for us. Before the match, we studied their video throughly to make our game plan. And our strategy caused them difficulties.
“We just tried not to get distracted but instead we concentrate to our game. We succeeded in our services today. Against Toyoda in the final showdown tomorrow (Thursday), of course, it is not going to be an easy match at all although we already beat them before.Tomorrow is a new day and a new match, but we will try our best to win this tournament,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Croat opposite spiker Igor Omercen scored 33 points to steer Toyoda to the final. The Japanese side on Wednesday stormed past Kazakhstan’s Altay VC with a sensational straight-set victory 25-16, 25-22, 25-22 in the other semi-final clash.
“It was an amazing game and a wonderful performance from my team. We fought very hard to the final round. I think we made use of our tactics very well. It is very nice job for us,” said Igor Omrcen, who has been playing for Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza for four years.”
In the 5th-8th playoff encounters, Iraq’s Al-Bahri Sport Club stunned the 2015 champions Taichung Commercial Bank with a fantastic comeback 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-19,15-13) victory, while Beijing Baic Motor from China struggled to beat hosts Vietnam Sports Club in hard-fought three-setter 26-24, 25,19, 25-19.
Al-Bahri and Beijing Baic Gymnasim will fight it out for the 5th-6th position, with Taichung Commercial Bank taking on Vietnam Sports Club for the 7th-8th place playoff.
Wednesday’s results
At Ninh Binh Gymnasium
5th-8th playoff: Al-Bahri Sport Club (Iraq) b Taichung Commercial Bank (Chinese Taipei) 3-2 (20-25 25-23 23-25 25-19 15-13); Beijing Baic Motor (China) b Vietnam Sports Club (Vietnam) 3-0 (26-24 25-19 25-19)
Semi-finals: Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza (Japan) b Altay VC (Kazakhstan) 25-16 25-22 25-22; Sarmayeh Bank (Iran) b Al Arabi Sports Club (Qatar) 3-0 (25-23 25-17 25-19)
At Nam Dinh Gymnasium
11th-12th: Sri Lanka Ports Authority (Sri Lanka) b Maldivian Sports & Recreation Club (Maldives) 3-1 (20-25 25-22 25-18 25-18)
9th-10th: Air Force VC (Thailand) b Canberra Heat (Australia) 3-0 (25-20 25-15 25-21)
Match schedule
Thursday, July 6, 2017
At Ninh Binh Gymnasium
10am: 5th-6th: Al-Bahri Sport Club (Iraq) v Beijing Baic Motor (China)
5.30pm: Bronze medal match: Altay VC (Kazakhstan) v Al Arabi Sports Club (Qatar)
8pm: Championship match: Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza (Japan) v Sarmayeh Bank (Iran)
At Nam Dinh Gymnasium
3pm: 7th-8th: Taichung Commercial Bank (Chinese Taipei) v Vietnam Sports Club (Vietnam)
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation