Uzbekistan defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the semi-final of the ongoing Asian U16 Volleyball Championship in Uzbekistan on Friday.
The hosts won the match with the score line of 25-23, 17-25, 25-21 and 25-23.
The match was very close as both teams fought till the end and the margins of the hosts’ victory weren’t big.
This was Pakistan’s first defeat in the event after registering four consecutive victories against Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, Australia and Thailand.
Pakistan will now take on Chinese Taipei — who lost to Iran in the semi-final — to play for the third position on Saturday.
It must be noted that it is very important for Pakistan to finish in third place to qualify for the U17 World Championship which will be played next year.
A day earlier, Pakistan recorded their fourth successive win after beating Thailand with the score line of 25-9, 25-16 and 25-19.
Meanwhile, in the Super 8, Pakistan defeated Australia with a score line of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-14.
Pakistan got a carry point against the Chinese Taipei Super 8 after they defeated them at the group stage.
In the group stage, Pakistan defeated Mongolia 25-9, 25-17 and 25-13 and Chinese Taipei 5-15, 25-18 and 25-16.
It has to be mentioned that earlier this month, Iran beat Pakistan 3-2 to win the Central Asian U16 Volleyball Championship.
After an exciting contest, Iran won the final by the scores of 25-20, 25-27, 25-18, 21-25, and 15-11. The home side grabbed Gold after winning the final whereas Pakistan managed Silver.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.