LAHORE: Defending champions Wapda and Army set up an enticing title-decider in the NDURE National Volleyball Championship after scoring contrasting semi-final victories here on Saturday night.

While Wapda registered a comparative easy 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 win over Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Army faced tough opposition from Navy before sealing a 25-22, 25-21, 25-21 in other semi-final.

The first semi-final was a contest between sheer experience and upcoming youngsters. Wapda, comprising many internationals, were rich in experience and skill.

Mohib Rasool, Murad Jehan and Amil Khan dominated the proceedings from the onset in the opening set with four straight points.

Their constant attacks kept PAF trailing, while Dawood and Ismail toiled hard to inspire the airmen but wrong serves, poor boosting and wild smashes cost them dearly.

Noman showed some aggression in his smashes and got points as well but the PAF lads couldn’t create any significant dent in Wapda’s defence, which was admirably led by Murad and Hammad.

PAF’s Faisal tried his forceful smashes in the second set but couldn’t decrease the margin of lead. Inevitably they looked exhausted in the decisive third set as well.

Meanwhile, despite Navy fighting well in all three sets, Army remained in control at crucial junctures as the sailors lost points due to poor anticipation and wrong positioning.

Haider and Anwar were outstanding throughout the match to secure a thoroughly triumph for the soldiers. They effectively intercepted smashes from Navy’s star player Mubashir.

Army started every set with aggression and immediately took lead to keep Navy chasing. In the first set Mubashir did show his brilliance occasionally but couldn’t reduce Army’s lead.

In the second set some wild smashing from Navy trio of Usman, Asif and Sharif mostly landed outside the line. They all failed to exert pressure on their opponents. Aqeel and Abuzar also tried their luck taking occasional points but Army maintained their comfortable lead.

The sailors, however, composed themselves in the third game, chasing well and eventually levelling the points but in vain as Army responded boldly to regain command.

Navy will take on PAF in the playoff for third place.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2019