NAGOY: Iran beat Pakistan 3-0 in the men’s volleyball semi-final at the Asian Games on Thursday, ending Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the final.
Iran controlled the match from the start and secured a straight-sets victory to book its place in the final.
Pakistan will now play for the bronze medal, with its opponent to be decided after the second semi-final between Japan and China.
The defeat came after Pakistan produced one of its strongest performances of the tournament, sweeping India 3-0 in the quarter-final to reach the last four.
Pakistan won the quarter-final 25-19, 25-23 and 25-18, securing its first Asian Games men’s volleyball semi-final berth since 1962.
Pakistan took charge early against India, winning the opening set 25-19. It then held off India 25-23 in a closely contested second set before completing the straight-sets victory with a 25-18 win in the third.
The result against India had marked a significant milestone for Pakistan’s men’s volleyball team, but Iran proved too strong in the semi-final.
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Pakistan will now turn its attention to the bronze-medal match and look to finish its Asian Games campaign with a medal
