Pakistan seal top spot in Pool A despite first loss at U19 Volleyball World Championship
APP
TASHKENT: Pakistan’s U19 men’s volleyball team has advanced to the knockout stage of the FIVB U19 World Championship as Pool A leaders despite suffering their first defeat of the tournament, a tightly contested 3-2 loss to Argentina in their final Pool A match.
In a five-set thriller, Pakistan pushed the South American giants all the way before narrowly falling, 26-24, 18-25, 21-25, 25-16, 11-15, in a match filled with momentum swings and high-intensity rallies.
Despite the result, Pakistan’s pristine performances in the four previous matches were enough to secure their place in the Round of 16 as the top-placed side, a landmark achievement for a team making waves at the global level. Captain Muhammad Yahya once again proved to be Pakistan’s standout performer, registering a match-high 23 points through a combination of powerful spikes, smart placement, and a timely block. He was ably supported by Junaid Ajmal, who contributed 13 points, showcasing sharp offensive instincts from the outside.
After Pakistan’s loss, Finland remains the only unbeaten team at this year’s U19 Volleyball Championship. Despite the defeat, this latest result caps off a remarkable group-stage campaign for the Pakistani squad. Having stunned Belgium, Uzbekistan, Puerto Rico, and Türkiye in earlier games, the team has already exceeded expectations at this year’s tournament. Qualifying for the knockout stage at a world event marks a significant milestone in the revival of volleyball in Pakistan, particularly at the youth level. The development programs introduced in recent years appear to be bearing fruit, with the U19s showing not only raw potential but also competitive temperament against the world’s best.
Pakistan will now prepare for a Round of 16 showdown against a still-to-be-confirmed opponent from Pool C. Currently, that spot is occupied by Spain, but with a game in hand, Poland are likely to be Pakistan’s next opponent.
With confidence high and momentum still on their side, Muhammad Yahya and company will aim to script another memorable chapter in what has already become a breakthrough tournament for Pakistani volleyball.
