Bangladesh reach semifinal

Sports Correspondent: Defending champions Bangladesh confirmed their spot in the semifinal of the six-team Bangabandhu Asian Senior Men’s Central Zone International Volleyball Championship.

Bangladesh led by Horshid Biswas emerged Group A champions to reach the semifinal with all-win record beating the Maldives by straight 3-0 sets in their last group match at the Shaheed Suhrawardy National Indoor Stadium here on Monday.

In the day’s vital match, hosts Bangladesh made a solid start beating the Maldives by 25-15 points in the first set, consolidated their victory beating them again by 25-15 points in the 2nd set and earned the convincing victory with 25-22 points in the 3rd and last set.

Earlier, Bangladesh made a flying start in the six-nation meet beating Nepal by 25-18, 25-14, 25-21 points (3-1 sets) in the opening match last Saturday.

Nepal also booked a seat for the semifinal as Group A runners-up beating the all losers Maldives by straight 3-0 sets earlier.

In the Monday’s other match, Turkmenistan confirmed the semifinal berth from Group B beating Kyrgyzstan by 3-1 sets at the same venue.

Kyrgyzstan will play Uzbekistan in Tuesday’s lone match at 4:00pm.

Six countries which were split into two groups—Group A and Group B— are initially taking part in the meet.

Maldives, Nepal and hosts Bangladesh belong to Group A while Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to Group B.


risingbd/Dhaka/April 23, 2018/Aminul/AI