WAPDA REGISTER FIRST WIN IN THEIR DEBUT ASIAN MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, July 31, 2018 – Pakistan’s WAPDA dashed out Asia World Club’s high hopes of making it two in a row at the 2018 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship by pulling off a sensational 3-0 (26-24 25-19 25-16) victory over the host side on Tuesday.

Aimal Khan chipped in 22 points for WAPDA including 18 kills from 28 attempts, while Murad Jehan added 15 points. Aung Thu led Asia World Club with14 points including 13 attacks.

Contesting their first encounter in this championship, WAPDA made a storming start as the team moved to an initial 4-1 lead in the first set. Animal Khan helped the visitors stretch it to 12-9, overpowering the smaller-blockers with his destructive attacks.

However, Asia World Club clawed their way back shortly after that. Talented Aung Thu, who led his side with massive 36 points in the previous match against Turkmenistan’s Binagar, gave the host side a successful comeback as he spearheaded his majority of Asia World Club’s attacks. After moments of tense battle, the score was tied at 23-23 and Aung Thu put his team in front with one-point clear at 24-23, needing only one more point to win the set. However, the host team let the win slip through their fingers. Ya Htike Wai’s serve went wide, leaving WAPDA to have a new life. The formidable visitors came up with aggression to win straight two points for the narrow 26-24 win.

Aimal Khan was on red-hot form in the second set with WAPDA’s serves exceptionally solid. The host team regained their composure and hit back with attacks and blocks. Nevertheless, the Pakistani side surged into a four-point advantage at 22-18 and allowed Asia World Club only one more point to take the set 25-19.

The third set turned out to be a one-sided affair. Though putting up a gallant fight before their cheering home crowds, Asia World Club found the visitors too strong. WAPDA captured the comfortable set 25-16 and match.

“This is our first match in the tournament and sometimes it’s quite difficult for my team. Asia World Club are a strong team, but my players also played well against them. Before we played the host side, we analysed their game against Binagar. We next take on the Turkmenistan team and I think they are also strong like the Myanmar side. We have to try our best against them in that match. Actually, we trained together around six months. We have to train hard because this is a new team and we are heading for the future. We have eight players who joined the Pakistan national team. This is our first time to compete in the Asian Club Championship and we just eye only top four in the tournament since there are many strong teams here such as teams from Iran, China and Japan,” commented WAPDA head coach Iranian Hamid Movahedi.

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