As the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship concluded in Urmia, Iran, attention is shifting towards the women’s competition. Scheduled from August 30 to September 6, the tournament will feature 14 teams from across Asia. Matches will be held at the 5,000-seater Chartchai Hall and The Mall Korat’s MCC Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, a significant province 259km away from Bangkok.
Pool Division and Key Contenders
The 14 teams have been divided into four pools. Pool A includes host nation Thailand, currently ranked 16th in the world, alongside Mongolia and Australia. Pool B features defending champions and world No.8 Japan, India, and Iran. Korea, who has been the runner-up seven times but has yet to secure a championship, is in Pool C with Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Finally, Pool D comprises 13-time Asian champions China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.
Tournament Format and Schedule
In the initial round-robin stage, the top two teams from each pool will move on to the Top 8, who will again compete in a round-robin format. The top teams from these two new pools will then enter the semifinals. The winners will face each other in the final on September 6, while the remaining teams will vie for the bronze in the third-place playoff.
Opening Matches
The championship will kick off with Iran and Japan facing each other at Chartchai Hall on August 30. Other matches scheduled for the day include Korea vs. Vietnam and Australia vs. Thailand. At The Mall Korat’s MCC Hall, Hong Kong China will challenge China, Kazakhstan will play against the Philippines, and Chinese Taipei will take on Uzbekistan.
The 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship promises to be an eventful and competitive tournament, with teams vying for continental glory and FIVB World Ranking points.
