Indian men's volleyball team thump Cambodia in Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 opener

India will face WR-27 South Korea in their next Pool match.

Indian men’s volleyball team started their Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 campaign on a bright note after defeating Cambodia in straight sets (3-0) on Tuesday (September 19). Like the previous edition where India beat Hong Kong with a similar scoreline, India blazed past Cambodia in the opening encounter match in Pool C convincingly.

After a good start, India will be up against WR-27 South Korea on September 20 in the pool stage. South Korea has been a dominant force in Asian Volleyball, finishing fifth in the recently concluded Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship 2023. A win against the East Asian side will see India finish on top and end the group stage on a high topping the table.

Against Cambodia, the Indian team consisted of players who competed in the Asian Championship. Like always setter Muthusmay led the setup and combined play pretty well. Senior pro Ashwal Rai is one of India’s main spikers in the Asian Games and going forward will look to carry on the same intensity.

Other Indians in the fray, experienced Mohan Ukkrapandian alongside Prasanth weren’t used much today but will have a significant role to play in the quadrennial extravaganza. The former is playing in his fourth Asian Games and his experience will come in handy during crunch situations.

A total of 19 teams are scheduled to compete in the men’s section with the top 12 progressing through to next round. Indian men’s team has so far won three medals at the Asiad, with the latest — bronze medal won in the 1986 edition in Seoul.

Meanwhile the live action of women’s team will start on September 30th, 2023, against North Korea.