KATHMANDU: Nepal faced a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Kygyzstan in the playoff match of the AVC Central Zone Volleyball Tournament in Male, Maldives on Tuesday.

After losing 25-16 in the first set, Nepal fought hard in the second before going down 25-23 and lost 25-20 in the third set. Despite the second straight loss against the same opponents, Nepal finished third in the four-team competition and claimed the maiden international medal in men’s volleyball.

With the win, Kyrgyzstan joined Turkmenistan in the championship match. Hosts Maldives, who lost all three matches, were eliminated.