Formidable Iran bounced back to beat hosts Uzbekistan in thrilling four-setter in their last Pool E match of the Top 8, but both teams qualified for the semifinals of the 1st Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship at Hall 1 inside Yunusobod Sports Complex in Tashkent on Thursday, as Pakistan set up another semifinal clash with Chinese Taipei.
The cross Top 8 matches in Pool E and Pool F came to a conclusion on Thursday when top two teams from each pool advanced to the cross semifinals, vying for top honor in this historic continental championship and the podium finish. Only top three teams from the Asian meet in Tashkent will make the cut for the next year’s inaugural FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship.
In the Top 8 encounters on Thursday, Iran came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and Kazakhstan stunned Japan 3-0 in Pool E, while Pakistan mercilessly crushed Thailand 3-0 and Chinese Taipei demolished Australia 3-0 in Pool F.
In Pool E, Iran, powered by Amin Asiaei and Mostafa Sedaghat, remained on course on Thursday. Though going down in the closely-contested first set 24-26, the unbeaten Iranians gradually pulled their games together to win the next two sets without much effort 25-17, 25-15 to hold 2-1 advantage.
However, Uzbekistan, with Saidjamol Mirobidinov on fire in attack, came back much stronger in the crucial fourth set to fight for every point, but the Iranians foiled their rivals’ determined effort, limiting the Uzbekistan’s offense with solid blocks and counter-attacking well to win the hard-fought set 26-24 and match.
Amin Asiaei chipped in with 16 points including 12 attacks from 23 attempts for Iran, while Mostafa Sedaghat and Kamyab Abdollahifar kept good company to add 15 and 13 points respectively.
No Uzbekistan player scored double digits in this match, with Saidjamol Mirobidinov bagging 9 points on the team’s loss.
In the other Pool E encounter, Kazakhstan sprang a surprise with an upset straight-set 25-18, 25-18, 27-25 win against Japan.
Nurassyl Mukhtar delivered 16 points from 12 attacks, 3 blocks and one ace for Kazakhstan, while Rei Iwata scored a match-high 18 points including 16 attacks on the Japan’s stunning loss.
After two days of cross matches in Pool E, Iran made a clean sweep with 8 points from three straight wins to comfortably reach the semifinals. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Japan had the similar 1-2 win/loss record, but the host side fared better to bag 4 points to join the…
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