India makes history, gets into maiden final of Asian U-23 Volleyball Championship by spiking Pakistan out

India on Saturday scripted history by booking ir maiden berth in final of men's Asian U-23 Volleyball Championships by beating Pakistan in semifinals here.

By entering final, Indian team also qualified for upcoming FIVB Men's U-23 Championships.

Pakistan, who came into match in great form, failed to capitalise on advant after winning first set and conceded next three sets to a rampaging Indians who secured a comprehensive 3-1 win in end.

India won match 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18 to set up a summit clash against Chinese Taipei on Sunday.

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Pakistan won first set largely untroubled. India did run m close at various sts, bringing score to 15-16 and 19-20 on two occasions. However, once beyond 20-point mark, Pakistan did t give anything away to close matters quickly.

India's start to second set was much more confident than first as both key players Shon John and Amit Gulia found ir touch. Pakistan was able to match India shot for shot until 10-point mark after which miscalculations and chaos proved to be undoing for Pakistan, which allowed India to win set easily.

next set once again began on a competitive te with neir side being able to get a lead of more than two points till halfway mark. However, once again after reaching 10-point mark, Indians raised ir game by several tches up to put some distance between m and ir opponents.

Pakistan made a recovery to level scores at 18 and 22-point mark. But John once again emerged as man for coach Pritam Singh Chauhan as he turned set in favour of India with a series of decisive spikes.

With two sets in ir pocket, India capitalised advant in fourth set and made most of Pakistan's frayed nerves. Pakistan made several service errors in fourth set and were t helped by Fahad's form which blew hot and cold.

India eventually wrapped things up to take set 25-18.

Coach Chauhan revealed that boys were under pressure despite match being a kck-out fixture against Pakistan.

"For us, every opposition is same. Our objective is to win and proceed to next challenge. We knew our strengths and we stuck to m despite being down 1-0 after first set," Chauhan said.

" kind of comebacks se boys have made in tournament goes on to show how mentally tough y have become in ir campaign. As a coach, I cant ask for more. I am extremely confident that whatever little errors y made today will be ironed out by tomorrow." 

 

Earlier in day, Chinese Taipei defeated Japan 3-2 in a hard-fought contest to set up a title clash against India on Sunday.

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