IRAN TO DEFEND THEIR AVC CUP FOR MEN TITLE AGAINST QATAR
Taipei, Chinese Taipei, August 14, 2018 – Two unbeaten teams, Iran and Qatar, set up a final clash of the Titans after thrashing their respective rivals in the Tuesdays’ semi-finals of the 6th AVC Cup for Men at the University of Taipei (Tianmu) Gymnasium, with the former demolishing hosts Chinese Taipei in straight sets and the latter stunning Japan Chinese in dramatic four-setter.
In the do-or-die semi-finals of the top-tier competition, in-form Qatar continued their remarkable unbeaten run after notching a sensational 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16) victory over Japan, the defending successive two-time Asian champions but sent a fully-fledged team of varsity stars this time, while, title-holders Iran downed hosts Chinese Taipei 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 with impregnable blocks and mighty attacks.
Although Kento Miyaura, who scored a match-high 24 points all from destructive attacks, led the Japanese challenge in this crucial encounter, Qatar proved to be strong in attacks and serves which troubled the Japanese’s reception, forcing them to suffer on making unforced attacking mistakes.
Sadikh Ndir and Ibrahim Mohamed scored 16 points apiece for Qatar, assisted by Hammad Mubarak, Abunabot Belal, and Ribeiro Renan with 15, 13 and 10 points respectively.
Another semi-final clash witnessed Iran, fielding young stars including four players who competed in the team which won the last year’s U19 World Championship in Bahrain, stamping their superiority over old foes Chinese Taipei in three-setter.
Yali Porya scored a match-high 16 points including 14 kills from 25 attempts and two blocks, with Salehi Meisam adding 13 points including 12 kills from 20 attempts and an ace.
“It was our second time to play Chinese Taipei. We played better on the court because we had done more analysis and got familiar with this great team, which beat Kazakhstan on Monday,” said Iran head coach Behrouz Ataei Nouri.
Bagging this crucial victory, Iran, in quest for their victory for two times in succession, will be pitted against Qatar in the championship match, while Chinese Taipei will go up against Japan in the bronze-medal match.
In the 5th-8th playoffs earlier, Australia powered past fighting Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 25-16) and will next take on Thailand for the 5th place.
The Thai side surged into a hard-fought 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 21-25, 25-16) win against Korea. Kazakhstan will play Korea in the 7th – 8th playoff.
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Australia b Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 25-16)
Thailand b Korea 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 21-25, 25-16)
Qatar b Japan 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16)
Iran b Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-23)
MATCH SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
11:00 Finals 7-8 Kazakhstan v Korea
13:30 Finals 5-6 Australia v Thailand
16:00 Finals 3-4 Japan v Chinese Taipei
18:30 Finals 1-2 Qatar v Iran
Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony
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