KEY POINTS
- Pakistan staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down to defeat defending champions Iran 3-2 in a thrilling final, clinching their first-ever AVC Asian U16 title
- Throughout the tournament, Pakistan remained unbeaten, including a dominant 3-0 semi-final victory over arch-rivals India, showcasing strong teamwork and resilience
ISLAMABAD: In a heart-stopping finale at the Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship, Pakistan scripted a sensational story of resilience and grit by overcoming defending champions Iran 3-2 on Saturday. Against all odds, the Green Shirts clinched their first-ever AVC Asian U16 title, electrifying fans with a nail-biting finish at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium.
The final began with Iran flexing their champion’s muscle, swiftly seizing the first two sets 25-22 and 25-21, seemingly poised to retain their crown effortlessly. However, Pakistan’s young warriors refused to wilt. Fueled by sheer determination, they stormed back to level the match, snatching the next two sets 30-28 and 25-21 in thrilling fashion. Riding this wave of momentum, Pakistan dominated the decisive fifth set 15-10, sealing a comeback victory that will be remembered for years to come.
Once again, Muhammad Junaid and Faizan Ullah emerged as the shining lights for Pakistan. Their stellar performances on attack and defence turned the tide and inspired the team to defy expectations and claim glory.
Pakistan’s journey to the summit was nothing short of remarkable. They blasted past South Korea with a commanding 3-0 sweep in their opener (25-16, 25-19, 25-8), then crushed Saudi Arabia in another straight-sets demolition (25-14, 25-13, 25-11). Maintaining their unbeaten streak, Pakistan outplayed Chinese Taipei 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-16) before dismantling Indonesia with another clean sweep in the crossover round.
The defining moment came in a blockbuster semi-final against arch-rivals India, where Pakistan’s dominance was on full display. The Green Shirts overwhelmed their rivals 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-12), showcasing superior attack, block, and service to book their place in the final with authority.
