KATHMANDU: Nepal faced a 3-1 defeat against Kyrgyzstan in the AVC Central Zone Volleyball Tournament in the Maldives on Monday.

Despite the loss, Nepal finished third in the four-team competition and are assured of the first international medal.

Turkmenistan finished on top with eight points and entered the final, while second-placed Kyrgyzstan (seven) and Nepal (three) will fight for a place in the championship match on Tuesday.

Maldives, who lost all three matches, were eliminated.