ISLAMABAD, June 4: Kazakhstan’s Rahat ended the unbeaten run of Iranian side Saipa on Saturday sending them crashing to a straight sets defeat in the Asian Men’s Club volleyball championship at the Liaquat Gymnasium. Going into the match with three wins out of three, the Iranians were expected to notch up yet another victory but their hopes were dashed by Rahat who carved out a 25-19, 25-21, 25-22 win.

India’s Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) scored their first win of the competition beating Uzbekistan’s Uzi Samarkand by the skin of their teeth 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 23- 25, 15-13.

China’s Shanghai registered their maiden victory with a 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 knockout of Thailand’s Samsom club.

Rahat remained undefeated in the seven-team event after victories earlier over HSIDC and Uzi Samarkand. Their success Saturday prompted the Saipa coach to predict that the Kazakhstan side will go on to win the championship.

Rahat’s champion qualities were adequately on display as their captain Miklashevich Suvatoslav led from the front to seal a difficult yet well-deserved triumph.

Saipa put up a stout resistance with Muhammad Kazem, Saeed Mostafavand and Medhi Mahdavi leading the challenge but Rahat’s attacking play proved decisive in the end.

HSIDC had to fight tooth and nail in overpowering Uzi Samarkand who bounced back twice in the match, however, the Indians with some fine play by Amir, Jitender, Ranguveer and Anil were eventually able to squeeze victory.

Results: Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (India) bt Uzi Samarkand (Uzbekistan) 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-13, Rahat (Kazakhstan) bt Saipa (Iran) 25-19, 25-21, 25-22, Shanghai (China) bt Samsom (Thailand) 25-21, 25-23, 25-18.

Fixtures for Sunday: HSIDC (India) v Samsom (Thailand), Shanghai (China) v Uzi Samarkand (Uzbekistan).