Pakistan overcome Bahrain in Asian Junior Volleyball

KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday defeated Bahrain 3-0 in the 13-16th place semi-final in the Asian Junior Volleyball Championship in Taiwan.

The Green-shirts will now face Saudi Arabia for the 13th spot on Saturday (today).

Saudi Arabia overpowered Hong Kong 3-2 with the set scores of 17-25, 18-25, 26-24, 25-21, 12-15.

Pakistan had defeated Saudi Arabia 3-0 on Thursday in their group classification game which was their first victory.

Bahrain extended tough resistance to Pakistan as the latter sealed a close win. After winning the first set comfortably 25-14, Pakistan had to struggle before winning the next two sets 26-24, 27-25.

Hong Kong will lock horns with Bahrain for the 15th place outing on Saturday (today). In the 9-12th places semi-finals Qatar defeated Iraq 3-2, while Australia edged hosts Chinese Taipei 3-2. Qatar will face Australia for the ninth place on Saturday (today). Iraq will meet Chinese Taipei in the 11th spot clash.

In the top fights China, Iran, South Korea and Japan qualified for the semi-finals.

In the first quarter-final China blanked Sri Lanka 3-0. They will now face South Korea in the semi-final on Saturday (today).  South Korea defeated Thailand 3-0 in the second quarter-final.

In the third quarter-final five-time winners Iran ousted Kazakhstan 3-0.  Japan defeated Turkmenistan 3-0. Iran face Japan in the second semi-final on Saturday.  Sri Lanka face Thailand, while Kazakhstan lock horns with Turkmenistan in the semi-finals for the 5th to 8th place.