KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday blasted their way into the quarter-finals when they whipped Uzbekistan 3-0 in their Group A second round game of the volleyball event of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.
Pakistan sealed 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 victory, their second which put them in the last eight.
At the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium Pakistan controlled the contest from the opening set, establishing an early advantage and maintaining enough pressure to prevent Uzbekistan from mounting a sustained comeback.
Pakistan took the first set 25-18, building a seven-point cushion. Uzbekistan struggled to close the gap as Pakistan kept control of the exchanges and moved in front in the match.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Pakistan again reached 25 points while limiting Uzbekistan to 18, putting the match within reach of a straight-sets victory.
Uzbekistan showed greater resistance in the third set, but Pakistan remained in control and managed it 25-20 to complete the sweep.
Pakistan manager Naseer Ahmad was happy with the outcome.
“Today we played well,” Naseer told The Express Tribune from Japan.
“We could win 3-0 even against Kazakhstan but you know it was the first game and boys needed some adjustment,” said Naseer, also a former Pakistan captain. However he was hopeful that they would also be able to beat tough Japan.
“Our charges have the capability to beat Japan and you know how tough team Japan is but we will try our level best to beat them,” said Naseer, who has massive experience of playing professional leagues.
The Pakistani lineup included setter Abu Bakar Siddique, outside hitters Afaq Khan and captain Murad Jehan, opposites Muhammad Yahya, Murad Khan and Fahad Raza, setters Hamid Yazman and Siddique, middle blockers Jabran, Muhammad Hamad and Musawer Khan, and libero Khizar Hayat.
Usman Faryad Ali also featured among Pakistan’s outside hitters.
Hong Kong’s Leung Yin Yan served as first referee and Qatar’s Fahad Mohammed I A Alawadhi as second referee. Pakistan will now meet hosts Japan in their last group show on Tuesday.
Pakistan had defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 in their opener on Sunday. Top two teams from each four groups progress to the quarter-finals.
