VOLLEYBALL – Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Qatar completed the quarter-final line-up yesterday in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Men, currently being hosted by the kingdom.
All three squads finished as runners-up in their respective groups after taking their first victories in the prestigious Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) competition, which wrapped up its preliminary round last night.
The Kazakhs eked into the last eight with a hard-earned, five-set result against defending champions Thailand, knocking them out of further title contention. Vietnam outplayed a young Chinese Taipei squad in straight sets, while Qatar did the same against Indonesia.
The trio join already qualified teams South Korea, Australia, Pakistan, China, and hosts Bahrain in the quarters, which are set to be played tomorrow. Today, a pair of classification games for ninth to 12th places will take place.
Fans are welcome to attend the matches at Isa bin Rashid Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa. Entrance is free.
World number 54 Kazakhstan overcame a battling Thailand, who twice fell behind by a set but drew level both times. The Kazakhs came up with the big plays in the end, winning their Pool B affair with a 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 15-13) scoreline.
Thailand saved a couple of match points late in the fifth set, but then opposite spiker Petr Churzin delivered the decisive blow for Kazakhstan. Churzin led his team with 21 points, while outside hitter Aibat Netalin added 17 and captain Vitaliy Vorivodin chipped in with 16. Thai skipper Amornthe Khonhan scored 21 in the loss, while outside hitter Jakkrit Thanomnoi had 16.
The victors finished second in Pool B behind unbeaten Pakistan and will next face Pool D winners Australia. Thailand will play in the lower classification bracket.
“It was a very tough game, very hard for us because we understand that if we do not win today, we will not play in the first eight,” said Kazakhstan’s Boris Kempa. “The pressure was on our side, but it was a game of emotions. It was technically not a good game from us like we wanted.”
Of their upcoming knockout against Australia, who rose to 34th in the world rankings yesterday, Kempa said: “It’s a new day, new game. In a challenge cup there are no weak teams. Our main goal was to get at least second place; now we did it, and try to improve every game.
“With better teams, you play better. We will see what happens.”
In Pool D, the Vietnamese were able to handle their business against Chinese Taipei, winning 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-14). They took the other seat in the last eight from their group and will now face Pool B winners Pakistan.
Nguyen Ngoc Thuan was the top performer for Vietnam with 23 points, while Pham Van Hiep added 15.
“The team worked very hard today,” said Thuan. “We had a good attitude and hopefully we can continue to improve. We will keep on trying our best and try to go to the semi-finals.”
World number 22 Qatar took care of business against Indonesia to make it through to the round of eight as Pool C runners-up. They cruised to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-17) triumph to split their preliminary round fixtures, having earlier lost to South Korea on Monday.
The Qataris next take on the winners from Pool A – China – in the quarters, while Indonesia will compete for ninth to 12th placing.
Outside hitter Youssef Oughlaf had 14 points to lead the Qataris, while middle blocker Papemaguette Diagne added 12. For the Indonesians, outside hitter Yohanes Dedi Prasasti scored nine points, while opposite Fazza Fauzan Rama had eight.
“It was an easy game,” said Oughlaf. “We lost our first match because we were not in our best form, but we were able to raise our level today and this is important for us moving into the quarter-finals.
“Whoever we face next, it will be very different from this opening round, so, now, no mistakes.”
In today’s opening classification games for ninth to 12th places, the Philippines play Indonesia at 4.30pm, to be followed by Thailand taking on Chinese Taipei at 7pm.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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