A glimpse of action from the match between Qatar and Japan (in black) at the Asian Volleyball Championship in Tehran yesterday.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Qatar’s sensational run at the Asian Volleyball Championship ended somewhat anticlimactically yesterday after they crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Japan in the semi-finals.
At the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Qatar appeared set for their first appearance in the continental final when they took the first set only for Japan to claw back in style and clinch a 22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 victory.
Qatar only lost to China in the second round of the tournament, but saw off Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals to set up yesterday’s clash with Japan, who they had beaten in the first round.
Japan, however, were determined to avenge their loss and put up a much-improved performance yesterday to earn the right to play Iran in today’s final after the hosts rallied from two sets down to beat China 3-2.
Qatar’s Argentinian head coach Juan Manuel Cichello paid credit to his team saying the match could have gone Qatar’s way with a bit of luck.
“We won the first set and should have taken a 2-0 lead but were unlucky to concede points at vital moments,” said Cichello.
“The Japanese then ensured that the momentum stayed with them by winning the third set rather easily and that proved the key for them.”
Qatar enjoyed a slight advantage when the fourth set started but the Japanese always managed to pull level before taking a 16-12 lead.
From thereon, Japan never eased up and closed out the match comfortably. Qatar will take on China for the third spot today.