TASHKENT – Pakistan’s under‑19 men’s volleyball team saw their historic run at the FIVB U19 World Championship end in heartbreak after a dramatic 3‑2 defeat to Poland in the Round of 16. Despite a valiant effort, the match slipped away in the final set.
The rollercoaster encounter featured alternating set wins: Pakistan surged to a 25‑21 win in the first, dropped the second 23‑25, rallied in the third with a 25‑17 victory, only to lose the fourth 21‑25. In the deciding set, Pakistan led until Poland sealed the match 18‑16 in a nail‑biting finish.
While the young Pakistani side captivated fans with their resilience, frustration boiled over post‑match. Players and officials criticised what they called questionable refereeing decisions in the final set. The team manager lodged a formal protest with the FIVB, pointing out the absence of a video review system and alleging that critical calls went against Pakistan during pivotal moments.
Pakistan’s campaign had been remarkable: they topped Pool A with wins over Belgium, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and Puerto Rico, including a straight‑set upset of world No. 7 Belgium. Despite a close 3‑2 loss to Argentina in their final group match, they still qualified as group leaders—a significant milestone for the country’s youth volleyball programme.
Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation Chaudhry Yaqoob praised the team’s courage and determination, calling the narrow loss “heartbreaking” but underlining the country’s growing presence in international volleyball. He confirmed that a protest will be lodged regarding the officiating in the knockout match.
While their World Championship journey ends prematurely, Pakistan leaves Tashkent with newly earned respect, confidence, and a clearer path ahead in global volleyball.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.