Pakistan Beat India 3-0 to Reach Asian Games Volleyball Semi-Finals
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
OKAZAKI: Pakistan delivered a strong performance to defeat India 3-0 in the men’s volleyball quarter-final at the Asian Games on Thursday, securing a place in the semi-finals.
Pakistan won the match 25-19, 25-23 and 25-18, maintaining their impressive record against India at the Asian Games and ending their opponents’ campaign in the tournament.
Murad Khan led Pakistan’s scoring with 22 points, while Usman Faryad Ali contributed nine. Mohammad Hamad added eight points and Musawer Khan scored seven, with captain Murad Jehan contributing four.
Pakistan entered the knockout stage after finishing second in Pool A. They defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 and Uzbekistan 3-0 before losing to hosts Japan in straight sets in their final group match.
India had reached the quarter-finals unbeaten. They recorded 3-0 victories over Vietnam and Hong Kong before edging Qatar in a five-set match that lasted around three hours.
Pakistan made an impressive start to the quarter-final, taking the opening set 25-19 in 23 minutes. Their attacking play proved effective, while India struggled to contain Pakistan at the net.
The second set produced the closest contest of the match. Both teams remained level at 9-9 before India established a three-point advantage at 16-13.
Pakistan responded strongly and levelled the score at 16-16. India again moved ahead 19-16, but Pakistan produced another comeback to make it 19-19.
Pakistan then took control of the closing stages and moved ahead 21-19. India continued to challenge, but Pakistan held their nerve to reach set point at 24-22 before closing out the set 25-23.
The third set was largely controlled by Pakistan. After India briefly reduced the deficit early on, Pakistan began to pull away and established leads of 8-4, 14-9 and 17-10.
Pakistan’s defence and net play kept India under pressure as the lead continued to grow. The team reached match point at 24-16.
India saved two match points, but Pakistan finished the contest on the next opportunity, winning the third set 25-18 in 25 minutes.
The victory sends Pakistan into the Asian Games volleyball semi-finals, keeping their hopes of winning a medal alive.
