Lalitpur, August 24

Kyrgyzstan defeated Uzbekistan in straight sets to win the title of the AVC Asian Senior Men’s Central Zone Volleyball Championship here at the Nepali Army Sports Complex covered hall today.

Kyrgyzstan registered a 26-24, 27-25, 25-19 victory in the final match and did not drop a single set throughout the tournament. Uzbekistan had also won three league round matches and semi-final in straight sets but they failed to put up impressive show in the final.

Kyrgyzstan opened brightly and built a 13-9 lead in the first set before Uzbekistan rallied to level the scores at 15-all.

Both teams went neck-to-neck and they were tied at 22- all before Kyrgyzstan took the set 26-24 to take a 1-0 lead.

The second set was also competitive but this time Kyrgyzstan came from behind to extend the advantage. Uzbekistan had a comfortable 11-6 lead in the second set but they faltered thereafter and Kyrgyzstan won nine points conceding just four to level the scores at 15-all. Kyrgyzstan took 18-16 lead but Uzbeks fought back and the teams were tied at 25-all. Kyrgyzstan then won two straight points to win the set.

Kyrgyzstan had a relatively easy game in the third set after Uzbekistan failed to put up a strong show. Kyrgyzstan opened with 5-1 lead and made it 10-5. Uzbekistan staged a brief comeback and cut the deficit to two points making it 18-16 but Uzbekistan bagged three straight points to extend the advantage.

It was all Kyrgyzstan as they completed the victory without much trouble.

Kanybek Uulu Onolbek of Kyrgyzstan was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while his teammate Musaev Zhamalidin was named the best setter. Uzbekistan duo Sobirov Islomjon and Sattorov Dilmurod were declared the best spiker and libero respectively, while Gulyyev Mithun of Turkmenistan won the best blocker’s award.

A total of seven teams took part in the championship organised for the first time by Nepal Volleyball Association.

Turkmenistan finished third beating Maldives 3-0, while hosts Nepal were fifth with a 3-1 victory over Afghanistan.

Bangladesh were the only side who failed to register a single victory in the tournament.