Kazakhstan players trying to block power spike by Indian Subba Rao Yejju
Kazakhstan of Pool C beat India 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19) on Monday to add to their 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-17 trouncing of Indonesia two days ago. Also remain unbeaten were Thailand and Japan, both of Pool B. The Thais swept over Turkmenistan 25-17, 28-26, 25-13 on Monday. Thailand had earlier defeated Mongolia and Singapore, both in straight sets. Jirayu Ruksakaew led Thailand with 21 points and Yazgulyyev Gurban was Turkmenistan’s top scorer, with 20 points.
Japan have won both of their Pool D matches, 3-0 over Mongolia on Sunday and 3-0 over Singapore on Monday. Myanmar of Pool B outscored Uzbekistan 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-13, 29-27) on Day Three actions. Thu Aung contributed a tournament-high 35 points to Myanmar and Abdulahnanov Elyor was Uzbekistan’s top scorer, with 15.
Indonesia of Pool C downed Kuwait 23-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16 on Monday. Batista Silvaliberato led Kuwait with 17 points and Ayip Rizal was Indonesia’s scorer, with 20. Japan outscored Singapore in Pool D in straight sets, 25-16, 25-12, 25-21. Furuta Shiro led Japan with 13 points and Wei Sheng Shawn Lim was the top Singaporean scorer, contributing seven points to his young team.
Kazakhstan‘s head coach Gilyazutdinow Rafael said after the match: “I am satisfied with the outcome, but our players’ performance was just so so. We were not in top form, not 100 percent ready today. In some technical elements like blocking, we were not good enough.” “India had some national team players on the team. But they also had some weak points, for example, their setting and blocking,” he continued. “We have many difficult opponents, for example Iran, Qatar, China, Japan and Vietnam. Vietnam has several national team players in the team.” “Our target is to be the first prize winner here,” he added.
Iran‘s head coach Ataei Behrouz said: “Today all our players kept clam in the match. Although we are confident of winning the championship, we still have to be fully prepared.”
Iran‘s team captain Nadi Alireza said: “I am satisfied with with our team’s performance in this championship. Our team is more experienced than others as we had played many major Asian competitions.”
India‘s head coach Arun Kumar Sood said:”The average strength of our opponents Kazakhstan is stronger as it was reinforced by some of their national team players. Our players are mainly from local clubs.” “We will give our best shot when facing Indonesia (on Tuesday), as it’s a game to decide if we could be qualified for the next round.“
Qatar head coach Mawia Alajnaf said: “We played better in the second set. We should pay more attention on blocking when we play the taller and more powerful Turkmenistan tomorrow.”
Singapore head coach Narita Akihiko said: “Our team is very young. So this is a good opportunity for them to learn. The players have tried their best and I am satisfied with their performance. Young as they are, the team is powerful. Poon Long Javier did a good job in spiking.”
Tuesday’s competition schedule: Pool A: Vietnam v China, Pool B: Myanmar v Iran, Pool C: India v Indonesia, Pool D: Mongolia v Singapore, Japan v Turkmenistan
