Iran proved themselves above the rest with a victory at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Qualification Tournament AVC Central Zone, qualifying for the Asian final round.
The tournament brought in three countries – Nepal, Iran and Maldives to compete for the top honor and a berth into the second round. The second round of the competition is split into two separate competitions, with Pool A in Kazakhstan and Pool B in Thailand. The second round is set to run from September 20-24, 2017. As hosts, Kazakhstan and Thailand had an automatic bid to the second round of competition.
Pool A – China, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan
Pool B – South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand
The finals host of Japan doesn’t have to vie for a spot, as they are an automatic qualifier as host.
The top two teams from Pool A and Pool B will join Japan for next seasons FIVB Volleyball Women’s Championship Finals.
Due to internal problems with the Volleyball Federation of India, they were deselected as the host country for the first qualifier round; therefore the Asian Volleyball Confederation decided to move the venue from India to Male in the Maldives.
The Maldives played host to Nepal and Iran in a single round-robin tournament on January 27 and 29.
Nepal started of the competition with a straight set victory over Maldives (25-17, 25-17, 25-13), but then were later dominated by Iran in three sets (12-25, 12-25, 12-25). Iran rolled right through Maldives (25-4, 25-12, 25-15).
RESULTS
January 27, 2017: Nepal b Maldives 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-13)
January 28, 2017: Iran b Nepal 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-12)
January 29, 2017: Iran b Maldives 3-0 (25-4, 25-12, 25-15)
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Most Valuable player: Shabnam Alikhani (Iran)
Best opposite player: Maedeh Borhani Esfahan (Iran)
Best outside attacker: Zeinab Giveh (Iran)
2nd best outside attacker: Pratibha Mali (Nepal)
Best middle blocker: Farnoosh Sheikhi (Iran)
2nd best middle blocker: Soudabeh Bagherpour (Iran)
Best setter: Shabnam Alikhani (Iran)
Best Libero: Negar Kiani(Iran)
FINAL RANKINGS
1. Iran – Qualified for World Championship Qualification Tournament Asian final round (either in Thailand or Kazakhstan) between September 20 and 24
2. Nepal
3. Maldives
A total of 24 team will be set to compete at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Volleyball Championship Finals, which will be held from September 29 to October 20, 2018 in Japan.
There are just three teams that are qualified for the tournament thus far, with hosts Japan being one, while the reigning champions the United States gained an automatic bid to the tournament. Joining them are the winners of 2015 South America Championship, Brazil.
The remaining 21 teams will consist of:
- Four teams From Asia
- Eight teams from Europe
- Six teams from NORCECA
- Two teams from Africa
- One team from South America
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