Ninh Binh, Vietnam, June 30, 2017 – Hosts Vietnam Sports Club struggled hard to beat Sri Lanka Ports Authority in a tightly-contested four-set battle 25-19,17-25, 26-24, 25-20 on the final day of the preliminary round at the SMM 2017 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium on Friday.
Steered by hard-hitting Nguyen Hoang Thoung and Tu Thanh Thuan, the host side started the opening set aggressively for the 25-19 win. Hoping to advance to the next round, the Sri Lankans did not give up easily as they showed a remarkable combination plays and stormed back to win the second set 25-17.
Vietnam SC, supported by a large crowd of cheering home fans, reduced some easy errors and played more consistently to win the next two sets 26-24, 25-20 and match.
Nguyen Hoang Thuoung topped all scorers with 19 points from 15 spikes,3 blocks and one ace. Surath Janitha scored a match-high 21 points for Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Vietnam Sports Club topped Pool A with 6 points from straight two wins over Al-Bahri Sport Club and Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Al-Bahri finished second with 3 points from one win against one loss, while lack lustrous Sri Lanla Ports Authority had no point from consecutive two losses.
“I am very happy for my team’s victory. Our two matches were very tough as our opponents were very strong,” Vietnam Sports club‘s head coach, Phung Cong Hung said after the match.
Vietnam Sports Club will be in Pool E with Al-Bahri SC, Altay VC and Al Arabi Sports Club in the round of last eight teams.
“In the next round, it will be more difficult for us as we face another strong teams with high level. However, we will do our best,” he added.
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