Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 27, 2018 – Turkmenistan smashed Bangladesh’s sweet dreams of celebrating their victory at home as the formidable visitors produced a terrific come-from-behind 3-1 win over the host side in the final showdown of the Bangabandhu Asian Senior Men’s Central Zone Volleyball Championship on Friday.

A large number of volleyball enthusiasts thronged into the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Friday to boost their home team’s morale and join celebration with their team in case Bangladesh beat Turkmenistan for the crown. However, the home fans left the venue with their heads low in disappointment when the host side went down in four-setter 26-24 20-25 22-25 16-25 to Turkmenistan to finish second in the tournament.

Turkmenistan, coached by Gandimov Ashyrmurat, kicked off their campaign confidently with a convincing 3-0 win over Kyrgyzstan in their opening match on April 22 before pulling off a dramatic 3-1 triumph over Uzbekistan the following day. Turkmenistan remained in awesome form after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nepal in the semi-finals on April 25 which earned them a place in the final clash.

Against hosts Bangladesh in the showdown, Turkmenistan lost the close first set 24-26, but regained their composure and bounced back mightily to win the remaining three sets for the eventual 3-1 win and the title.

A total of six teams contested the one-week tournament comprising Maldives, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and hosts Bangladesh.

FRIDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
5th-6th place playoff (on Thursday): Uzbekistan b Maldives 3-0 (25-21 25-17 25-20)
Bronze-medal match: Kyrgyzstan b Nepal 3-0 (25-20 25-22 25-20)
Championship match: Turkmenistan b Bangladesh 3-1 (24-26 25-20 25-22 25-16)

FINAL RANKING
1. TURKMENISTAN
2. Bangladesh
3. Kyrgyzstan
4. Nepal
5. Uzbekistan
6. Maldives

Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation