Turkmenistan defeated host Bangladesh by 3-1 sets in the final of the Bangabandhu Asian Senior Men’s Central Zone International Volleyball Championship at Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur Friday.
The home side started brightly as they defeated the visiting side by 26-24 points in the hard-fought opening set. But Turkmenistan came back strongly, winning the next three sets by 25-20, 25-21 and 25-17 points to clinch the trophy.
Bangladesh captain Horshid Biswas was disappointed to miss out on the trophy but hoped the experience will help the boys to learn from their mistakes in the future tournaments.
“Disappointed as we lost the final. But we had a good experience. Turkmenistan are a very strong team and played really well in the final. But we were also not good enough, particularly in blocking and receiving. But overall, the tournament was a great experience for our team. We are hoping to play more international matches in future so that we can get more experienced and win trophies for our country,” said Horshid after the final.
Bangladesh coach Ali Pour Aroji praised his charges, despite the loss in the final, and said the home nation played well throughout the tournament after a short-term preparation camp.
In the third-place play-off match, Kyrgyzstan defeated Nepal comprehensively to emerge as the second runners-up.
Bangladesh won both their matches in the group stage, against Nepal and Maldives respectively. Later, they defeated Kyrgyzstan in the semi-final to earn a spot in the final.
A total of six teams participated in the tournament. Bangladesh were pitted in Group A along with Nepal and Maldives.
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were drawn in Group B.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, Member of Parliament from Dhaka-16 constituency, Elias Uddin Mollah, BCB president Nazmul Hasan, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Bangladesh Volleyball Federation president Atiqul Islam were present among others during the closing ceremony.
