Kalasin, Thailand, May 14, 2016 - Iran powered past China to clinch the men’s team title as Japan stamped their authority following their scintillating win over Indonesia in the women’s team showdown in the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Semi-finals in Kalasin on Saturday.
In the men’s showdown, Iran fielded the first team consisting of formidable Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi to be pitted against China 1’s Li Jian/Li Zhuoxin. After the Iranians took the first set with ease 21-10, the Chinese stormed back gallantly to win the second set 21-18. The decider was won by the Iranians, who came out with superb form to beat the rivals 15-10 for the eventual 2-1 win in the first encounter. Iran led 1-0 initially.
The second rubber turned out to be the same script as it was ended 2-1 but in different fashions. This time, The Iranian duo of Bahman Gholipoury/Aadolhamed Mirzaali started poorly to go down 15-21 in the first set. They eventually found their touch to capture the remaining two sets 21-19 17-15 for the 2-1 win in the match.
With the impressive 2-0 win, Iran reigned supreme in the men’s team event, with China in second place. However, both teams have qualified for the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Finals in Cairns, Australia in June.
The third-place playoff earlier saw Oman beat hosts Thailand 2-0.
In the women’s final, Japan still proved that they are the strongest as they brushed off Indonesia 2-0 for the crown.
In the first match, Takemi Nishibori/Sayaka Mizoe combined well to outclass Indonesians Dhita Juliana/Putu Utami 21-15 21-19 to put Japan in front 1-0. In the second match, Miki Ishii/Megumi Murakami were just devastating as they pulled off a one-sided 21-12 21-9 win over Indonesians Desi Ratnasari/Eka Yoked Purarlurari.
The straight two-match win handed Japan the title, while Indonesia picked up silver medal. However, both teams also paraded to the next month’s AVC Continental Cup Finals in Australia.
Also joining Japan and Indonesia to the Finals were Chinese Taipei, which overpowered New Zealand 2-1 in the third-place playoff. Julia Tilley/Alice Bain got New Zealand off to a great start with a 2-0 (21-15 21-19) win over Liu Pi Hsin/Chang Ya Chu to give the Kiwis a 1-0 lead.
Nonetheless, Chinese Taipei hit back to win two straight matches including the Liu Pi Hsin/Kou Nai Han’s 21-19 21-16 victory over Julia Tilley/Alice Bain in the decider.
Saturday’s results
Men’s team
Third place playoff: Oman b Thailand 2-0
Al Shereiqi Haitham/Al Subhi Badar (Oman 1) b Adisorn Khaolumtan/Prathiip Sukto (Thailand 1) 2-1 (13-21 21-18 15-10)
Ahmed Al-Housni/Nouh Al-Jalbubi (Oman 2) b Sedtawat Padsawud/Nuttanon Inkiew (Thailand 2) 2-0 (21-15 21-12)
Gold medal: Iran b China 2-0
Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi (Iran 1) b Li Jian/Li Zhuoxin (China 1) 2-1 (21-10 18-21 15-11)
Bahman Gholipoury/Aadolhamed Mirzaali (Iran 2) b Bao Jian/Ha Likejiang (China 2) 2-1 (15-21 21-19 17-15)
Women’s team
Third place playoff: Chinese Taipei b New Zealand 2-1
Julia Tilley/Alice Bain (New Zealand 1) b Liu Pi Hsin/Chang Ya Chu (Chinese Taipei 1) 2-0 (21-15 21-19)
Wu Shu Fen/Kou Nai Han (Chinese Taipei 2) b Melissa Ruru/Shannen Bagge (New Zealand 2) 2-0 (21-17 22-20)
Liu Pi Hsin/Kou Nai Han (Chinese Taipei) b Julia Tilley/Alice Bain (New Zealand) 2-0 (21-19 21-16)
Gold medal: Japan b Indonesia 2-0
Takemi Nishibori/Sayaka Mizoe (Japan 1) b Dhita Juliana/Putu Jasita Utami (Indonesia 1) 2-0 (21-15 21-19)
Miki Ishii/Megumi Murakami (Japan 2) b Desi Ratnasari/Eka Yokebed Purarlurari (Indonesia 2) 2-0 (21-12 21-9)
FINAL RANKINGS
MEN’S TEAM
1. Iran ………….qualified for the Finals in Australia
2. China …………qualified for the Finals in Australia
3. Oman
4. Thailand
5. Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands
WOMEN’S TEAM
1. Japan ……… qualified for the Finals in Australia
2. Indonesia ……….qualified for the Finals in Australia
3. Chinese Taipei ………..qualified for the Finals in Australia
4. New Zealand
5. Sri Lanka
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