India beats Qatar 3-2 after epic comeback, enters Asian Games volleyball quarters

India staged a stunning comeback from two sets down to beat Qatar 3-2 to book their place in the men’s volleyball quarter-finals at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday. After dropping the opening two sets, India cruised to a 26-28, 25-27, 25-23, 25-20, 24-22 victory in a Pool C marathon that lasted two hours and 47 minutes.

The result was an unbeaten group stage campaign for India, who finished top of Group C with three wins from three. Their reward is advancing to the quarter-finals on Thursday, when the opponent will still be confirmed.

Asian Games, September 29 update

Qatar looked firmly in control after overcoming two extremely tight opening sets. India had opportunities in both but failed to convert, needing to win three sets in a row to keep their campaign alive.

That’s exactly what they did. India took the third set 25-23, followed it up with a 25-20 win in the fourth to force a decider where the match descended into a remarkable battle of nerves.

In the fifth set, India survived nine match points before finally closing out the match 24-22. John Joseph produced key blocks in the closing stages to help India get over the line, while Jerome Vinith led the scoring with 27 points. Amit Singh Balwan added 24 and Joel Benjamin Jebaraj contributed 17.

TWO WINNERS SET UP THE SHOWDOWN

India opened their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Vietnam, winning 25-23, 25-21, 25-20. The opening set was very even before India took control and completed the win in one hour and 24 minutes.

They then followed it up with another 3-0 against Hong Kong China, winning 25-22, 25-19 and 25-21. Qatar also entered the final match of Group C unbeaten after beating Hong Kong 3-1 in their opening match.

With both sides already assured of promotion, the final pool game was to decide who would finish on top. India eventually took that spot, but only after being pushed to the absolute limit.

HOW INDIA FOUND BACK

The opening two sets were frustrating for India. They had chances to end both in their favour, but Qatar were more even as the margin narrowed, the first 28-26 and the second 27-25.

The third set changed the tempo. India held their nerve at 25-23 and produced their most convincing volley of the match in the fourth to open the score at 2-2.

Qatar’s 13-year-old Musa Mubarak continued to cause problems and finished with 40, but India refused to let the game slip away.

At 23-22, India were still under immense pressure having already survived several match points. John Joseph’s blocking then came to the fore as India claimed the final two points to complete one of the most dramatic comebacks of their Asian Games campaign.

India now move into the knockout stages with the quarter-finals scheduled for October 1. The four men’s volleyball quarterfinals will be played on Thursday.

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