June 24, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 23: Arch-rivals India defeated hosts Pakistan 3-1 to remain in race for the top position at the second Asian Central Zone Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Saturday.

In the first set the Pakistan spikers started their campaign nicely position, conceding only 15 points. The Pakistan spikers excelled in all the departments, scoring 13 points through powerful spikes, three points through service aces and nine through India’s unforced errors, clinching the set 25-15.

However, in the second set the Indians changed the tactics, introducing quick attack, cross combination and used multiple blocks to counter the powerful smashing of Pakistan’s Naseer, Sanaullah and Kashif Mansoor.

The visitors led throughout the set, not allowing the hosts spikers to settle.

The Indians also changed serving tactics which distributed Pakistan’s reception rendering the setters to set only high ball which the Indians blocked effectively to claim the set 25-18.

In the third set India kept on pressurising their opponents while employing various strategies to gain quick points through service, powerful spiking and intelligent blocking. The Pakistan spikers, looking tired, were unable to counter the quick Indian moves as India won this set easily 25-12.

After losing two successive sets Pakistan tried to fight back in the fourth set and some skills were witnessed as both teams exchanged powerful spikes, blocking and serves as the score came to a 15-15 lock.

The 16th point was the turning point for the Indian side who, from then till the end, never allowed their rivals to narrow the lead while quickly reaching the match point.

A cluster of three points by Pakistan raised home fans’ hopes but the Indian attack was too good enabling their team to gain the set point and the match 15-25, 25-18, 25-12 and 25-21.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran, unbeaten in the tournament so far, outplayed the Maldives 25-15, 25-14, 25-18 in a 59-minute match. The win was Iran’s fifth consecutive victory, having defeated India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Turkmenistan in the championship.

In the first set the Iranian spikers excelled in all departments and won it 25-15. Iran’s spikers Zare Mehrjerdy, Mostafavand, Shariati Larijani and Mahdavi played pivotal roles through powerful spikes, intelligent placing and quick combination tactics to claim the second set 25-14 before taking the third 25-18 comfortably to win the match.

Meanwhile, defending champions Kazakhstan recorded an easy 3-0 win against Sri Lanka.

Kazakhstan spikers Suleymenov Nariman, Baibekov Kairat and Trotskiy Sergey performed well to help their team gain a 25-23, 25-16, 25-20 victory.

Sunday’s fixtures:

Pakistan v Maldives (1pm); India v Turkmenistan (3pm); Iran v Kazakhstan (5pm). –Agencies