POKHARA, Feb 7: Departmental teams continued the dominance in the ongoing Srijana Invitational International Men's and Women's Volleyball Tournament on Tuesday securing semifinal spots. However, Tribhuvan Army Club failed to progress to the last four in the women's event but went through in the men's side along with host Western Region and departmental rivals Nepal Police Club and Armed Police Force (APF). Similarly, in the last four of the women's event, New Diamond Academy and Western Region joined APF and Police.
Win for departmental teams in Srijana volleyball
In the men's semifinal clashes, Group A winner Police will take on Group B runner-up APF and Group B winner Army will battle with Group A runner-up Western Region.
Similarly in the women's last four matches, Group A winner APF will face Group B runner-up Police while Group B winner New Diamond will take on Group A runner-up Western Region.
Meanwhile in the last league round match of men's event played at Pokhara stadium's volleyball court, semifinalist Army faced 2-3 defeat against Help Nepal Sports Club. Help Nepal registered win of 22-25, 25-15, 25-27, 25-13 over Army studded with national players.
“As we had already qualified for the semifinals, we rested our key players Hari Hajur Thapa, Man Bahadur Shrestha and Dhan Bahadur Bhatta to give chance to younger players,” said Army's head coach Jagdish Bhatta. “Help Nepal is a very strong team but my young players did well and won two sets which eventually made us group winner so I am satisfied with the result,” he added.
Meanwhile, another semifinalist Western Region enjoyed a walkover from visiting team Uttar Pradesh Volleyball Association (UPVA) in the men's section. UPVA's men's team which crashed out from the tournament didn't arrive on the court citing internal reasons.
However, its women's team took part in the last league round match but faced straight sets defeat of 25-6, 25-6, 25-10 against New Diamond. After the match New Diamond's head coach Kumar Rai said that his team showed improved performance against Indian team. “Performance in the defense and spike department was much better today unlike in the past matches,” said head coach Rai.
“I had hoped players would feel pressure in this tournament as we had come here in a hurry and the players were tired. But they have been good so far,” added head coach Rai. He also said that he found Indian team very weak.
Meanwhile, the women's team of army crashed out of the tournament with a 16-25, 16-25, 18-25 defeat to the host team Western Region.
