The Indian men’s volleyball team continued its stellar journey at the Asian Games, securing a spot in the quarterfinals with a resounding 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei. Following their stunning triumph over South Korea, India maintained their momentum, claiming victory with set scores of 25-22, 25-22, and 25-21, all within an impressive hour and 25 minutes of gameplay.
India’s spirited performance catapulted them into the 1-6th place playoffs, setting the stage for an upcoming showdown against either Japan or Kazakhstan this Sunday.
After the exhilarating win, India’s captain, Vinit, expressed his thoughts to reporters, saying, “They are an experienced team; play fast. They took the lead in the first two sets, but our team covered well and snatched the lead.” He acknowledged the challenging competition presented by the opponents and praised his team’s resilience.
The match showcased a captivating narrative as India, despite trailing 6-10 early in the game, managed to narrow the gap to 11-13, with Erin Varghese playing a pivotal role in reducing the deficit. In an intensely competitive first set, India eventually caught up at 21-21, and with determination, Erin Varghese and Ashwal Rai secured the final two points, securing a pivotal victory.
The second set saw India take an early 3-0 lead, only to see Chinese Taipei level the scores at 17-17. Nevertheless, India displayed remarkable composure in the closing stages, clinching the set 25-22.
Entering the decisive third set, India surged to a 10-4 lead. Chinese Taipei managed to narrow the gap, drawing level at 14-14. However, India regained control, forging ahead to 21-18 before comfortably sealing the deal at 25-21.
Assistant coach Jaideep Sarkar commended the team’s performance and acknowledged the pressure to deliver a strong performance against a formidable Chinese Taipei squad. He remarked, “With back-to-back wins over Korea and Chinese Taipei, this is a good morale booster ahead of our match against Japan.”
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