Iran defeat hosts India to reach Asian Volleyball finals

Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Tournament favourites Iran defeated hosts India to reach the finals of the third Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championships (Central Zone) in a closely fought game here Saturday at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.

Although with a larger crowd support than the previous day, the Indian team lost the first set (16-25), but gave a close fight in the second (24-26) and won the third (25-23) but faltered in the fourth (23-25) to lose at the hands of Asia’s best team.

‘India lost today due to service failure and absence of Gurchand Singh seems to be felt in the team,’ chief coach Deshraj said at the post-match conference.

The opening game on the second day between Pakistan and Kazakhstan experienced a power failure at the stadium at the halfway stage of the second set. Kazakhstan won the game 3-0 (25-11, 25-22, 25-23).

India must now win against Pakistan in their final group game in order to reach the finals. If Kazakhstan defeat Iran in their final group clash and India lose to Pakistan, then Kazakhstan will play Iran in the finals.

Pakistan’s only hope of reaching the finals is to defeat India and hope that Iran defeat Kazakhstan.