Pakistan beat Korea to qualify for AVC Cup final

By our correspondent
LAHORE: Pakistan senior men’s volleyball team team on Saturday blasted their way into the final when they conquered South Korea 3-1 in the semi-final of the AVC Challenge Cup in Isa Town, Bahrain.
Pakistan’ displayed fine skills on the court and thwarted dangerous Korea who troubled the Green-shirts on certain occasions.
After claiming a 25-22 victory in the first set Pakistan had to face tough time in the second set and eventually lost it 24-26 and the match was levelled 1-1.
Pakistan then did a fine job in the third set. Although in the end Korea made a smart fightback and made it too close but the Green-shirts kept their cool and got vital points at a crunch stage to take the set 25-22 and this got 2-1 lead. And on the fourth set it was again a tough contest before Pakistan managed a 25-22 win to seal a 3-1 victory and this the final spot.
This is the fourth straight win from Pakistan being led by experienced Murad Jehan.
In the show Pakistan exhibited superb display almost in every department of the game with their key pros looking in top form which enabled the nation to set final clash.
It is pertinent to mention here that the winners of this event will qualify for the FIVB Challenge Cup.
Pakistan has a fine start to their journey when they downed Kazakhstan in their opener. They then defeated holders Thailand in their group to qualify for the quarter-finals. In the quarter-finals the Green-shirts tamed Vietnam to make it to the semis.
Pakistan are in terrific form, having won the Central Asian Volleyball League in Pakistan before beating strong Australia in the three-match series at home just before the Bahrain’s continental event.
Pakistan will now face Qatar in the final on Sunday (today).