Kalasin,Thailand, May 13, 2016 - Formidable China will go up against Iran in the final men’s team showdown of the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Phase 3 Semi-finals in Kalasin, with Japan and Indonesia battling it out in the final women’s team clash.
Making it to the Saturday’s finals has guaranteed China and Iran in the men’s team event and Japan and Indonesia in the women’s competition their berths in the AVC Continental Cup Finals in Cairns, Australia from June 20 to 26, 2016. However, one more spot will be at stake in the women’s third-place playoff on Saturday between Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
In the men’s category, China and hosts Thailand received byes in the Thursday’s quarter-finals, while Iran powered past Chinese Taipei 2-0 and Oman thrashed Cook Islands with the similar margin 2-0.
The semi-final encounters on Friday saw China continue their remarkable performance to eliminate Oman 2-0, with China 1’s Li Jian/Li Zhouxin struggling to beat Oman 1’s Haitham Al-Shereiqi/Badar Al-Subhii 21-18 26-24 in a hard-fought battle and China 2’s Bao Jian/Ha Likejiang crushing Oman 2’s Ahmed Al-Housni/Nouh Al-Jalbubi 21-18 21-13 to storm their ways into the final showdown as well as claim a spot in the Australia Finals.
The other semi-final clash between the host side and Iran was stretched to three matches. Iran 1’s Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi faced a strong challenge from Addison Kholumtarn/Prathip Sukto to beat the Thailand 1’s duo 21-16 32-20, while Thailand 2’s Sedtawat Padsawud and Nuttanon Inkiew saved the day for the home team when they overpowered Iran 2’s Rahman Gholipoury/Aadolhamed Mirzaali 25-23 22-20 to compete in a deciding match.
Thailand 2’s Sedtawat/Nuttanon became the trusted team to continue their fight in the do-or-die decider, while Iran fielded Iran 1’s Roufi/Salemi. Going down in the first set 18-21, hosts Thailand tried to make amends in the second set. However, despite putting up a brave fight, the Thai pairing found the Iranians uncatchable. The Iran 1’s duo won the closely-contested set 21-19, the match, the final berth and a place in the Australia Finals.
Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei outclassed Sri Lanka 2-0 in the women’s team quarter-finals on Thursday to next take on Japan, but found the Japanese too strong in the semi-finals.
Japan 1’s Takemi Nishibori/Sayaka Mizoe thrashed Chinese Taipei 1’s Liu Pi Hsin/Chang Chu Ya 21-16 21-9 and Japan 2’s Miki Ishii/Megumi Murakami sent Chinese Taipei 2’s Wu Shu Fen/Kou Nai Han packing in straight sets 21-8 21-15. With the comfortable victory over the Taiwanese girls, Japan advanced to the Sunday’s final showdown,
Indonesia also performed brilliantly to book a final berth of the three-day meet following a scintillating 2-0 victory over New Zealand.
Indonesia 1’s Juliana Dhita/Putu Jasita Utami downed New Zealand 1’s Julia Tilley/Alice Bain in gruelling three sets 21-19 17-21 15-8 and Indonesia 2’s Desi Ratnasari/Eka Yokebed Purarirari beat New Zealand 2’s Shannen Bagge/Melissa Ruru 21-14 21-18.
Japan next challenge Indonesia in the Sunday’s final. However, both teams have already qualified for the next month’s AVC Continental Cup Finals in Australia.
The third place playoff between Chinese Taipei and New Zealand will also see the remaining Finals berth on offer.
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