TOP EIGHT TEAMS CONFIRMED AT ASIAN MEN’S U20 CHAMPIONSHIP IN MANAMA
Manama, Bahrain, July 25, 2018 – Hosts Bahrain and Japan suffered shock defeats at the hands of Australia and Chinese Taipei respectively on Wednesday as the top eight teams have already been confirmed for the quarter-final clash at the 19th Asian Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship at Isa Sport City Halls.
In the Thursday’s quarter-finals, Iran, silver medallists at the previous edition two years ago in Chinese Taipei, are due to take on Kazakhstan, while Chinese Taipei will go up against Thailand, Korea will play Australia and China will face Iraq.
Japan and Bahrain suffered setbacks in a similar fashion in the Wednesday’s classification playoffs. In the most breathtaking match of the day, Japan took the first two sets 25-22 28-26 in a crucial match against Chinese Taipei to go down in the remaining three sets 18-25 22-25 10-15. As Chinese Taipei entered the quarter-finals, Japan will next contest the 13th-16th playoffs.
Chinese Taipei will next be pitted against in-form Thailand in the quarter-finals.
The Thai squad, fifth place at the previous edition in Chinese Taipei, sent errors-prone Qatar packing 25-15 25-10 25-10.
Like Japan, hosts Bahrain also faced the similar fortunes on Wednesday. Their clash against Australia was initially turned out to be a completely lop-sided affair. Boosted by a large number of home crowds, Bahrain clinched the first two sets with ease 25-16 25-17, needing only another set win to book a quarter-final ticket. However, things turned sour for the host side as they let the victory slip through their fingers. Australia made a fantastic comeback. They performed exceptionally well to silence the cheering fans with their splendid teamwork and powerful combination spikes to win two sets in a row 34-32 25-22, forcing both sides to contest the do-or-die tie-breaker which eventually ended 15-11 in favour of the determined visitors. James Takken served up a treat and helped Australia snatch a vital win in this match. This deserved victory proved that the Martin Collin’s side still have chances to vie for a world ticket.
Iran remained a strong team to beat in this top-flight championship. The invincible side have yet lost a set to their respective rivals heading to the quarter-finals. Superb performances from Pourya Yali and Morteza Sharifi led Iran to an exceptional 25-17 25-14 25-22 victory over India with 15 impeccable aces recorded including 5 from Porya Yali.
China also advanced to the quarter-finals. Diao Jianfei led his side with a match-high 14 points as the title-holders tamed Saudi Arabia in straight sets 25-22 25-12 25-14 to successfully break the deadlock. The maiden win in this championship gave China a quarter-final clash against Iraq, which defied all odds to beat Turkmenistan in straight sets 25-16 25-20 25-16.
In the other matches, Korea pulled off a dramatic 3-1 (25-17 25-22 20-25 25-21) win over Pakistan to next challenge Australia in the quarter-finals, while Kazakhstan in a display somewhere near their best overpowered Sri Lanka in thrilling four-setter 26-24 16-25 25-13 25-21.
Aside from the quarter-final encounters, the Thursday’s competition sees Malaysia take on Macao in the 21st-24th playoffs, Pakistan meet Saudi Arabia and India challenge Japan in the 13th-16th playoffs. Qatar will play Sri Lanka in the 9th-12th playoffs, with Hong Kong meeting the United Arab Emirates in the 17th-20th playoffs.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Day 5
Classification Playoffs
Court 1
Iran b India 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-22)
China b Saudi Arabia 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-14)
Thailand b Qatar 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-10)
Australia b Bahrain 3-2 (16-25 17-25 34-32 25-22 15-11)
Court 2
Korea b Pakistan 3-1 (25-17, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21)
Iraq b Turkmenistan 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-16)
Chinese Taipei b Japan 3-2 (22-25, 26-28, 25-18, 25-22, 15-10)
Kazakhstan b Sri Lanka 3-1 (26-24, 16-25, 25-13, 25-21)
MATCH SCHEDULE
July 26, 2018
21st-24th
Maldives v Uzbekistan (cancelled)
Macao v Malaysia
13th-16th
Pakistan v Saudi Arabia
India v Japan
9th-12th
Sri Lanka v Qatar
17th-20th
Hong Kong v UAE
1st-8th
Iran v Kazakhstan
Chinese Taipei v Thailand
Korea v Australia
China v Iraq
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