Green Shirts Make History With Straight-Sets Victory Against World No. 7 Belgium in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – In a stunning display of youth talent and tactical execution, the Pakistan Under-19 volleyball team marked their entry into the 2025 FIVB U19 Men’s Volleyball World Championship with a commanding 3-0 win over Belgium, one of the tournament’s strongest sides.

This is Pakistan’s first participation in the tournament in over a decade, and the team made a memorable return, defeating the world number 7 Belgium — a country known for producing technically sound volleyball players.

Set-by-Set Breakdown: Complete Domination

The match was held in a packed indoor arena in Tashkent, with volleyball fans from various countries in attendance. Pakistan secured a clean sweep of the match, winning:

• First Set: 25–19
• Second Set: 25–17
• Third Set: 25–22

The final scoreline not only reflects Pakistan’s dominance but also the confidence with which they executed their game plan. Belgium, though favored to win, looked overwhelmed by Pakistan’s aggressive style of play and well-coordinated teamwork.

Key Players & Performance Metrics

Two standout athletes led Pakistan’s charge:

• Saud was phenomenal, particularly in defense, contributing 13 points, 9 of which were from blocks. His timing and elevation neutralized Belgium’s attackers repeatedly.
• Captain Yahya provided balance with 11 points, commanding leadership, and precision during critical rallies. His spikes and jump serves kept the Belgian defense guessing.

Additionally, Pakistan’s libero and setters performed consistently, ensuring excellent ball distribution and floor coverage.

The team’s attack efficiency, block success rate, and service points all exceeded expectations for a side ranked 19th in the world.

Historic Moment for Pakistan Volleyball

This win is not just a match victory — it is a statement. Pakistan’s volleyball program, often overshadowed by cricket and hockey, has been steadily improving in recent years. With better grassroots development and exposure to international training techniques, the current U19 squad is seen as part of a new wave of talent.

The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has invested heavily in preparing youth squads, with support from the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and Pakistan Sports Board. The results are now becoming evident on the world stage.

Global Reaction and Praise

Following the win, congratulations poured in on social media from:

• Former national players
• Coaches and athletes from other sports
• International volleyball analysts, who called the win “one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far.”

Pakistani volleyball fans, both local and from the diaspora abroad, celebrated the performance with pride, praising the players’ commitment, skill, and confidence.

What’s Next: Clash With Hosts Uzbekistan

Pakistan will now prepare for their next match, scheduled for Friday, against the host team Uzbekistan. It is expected to be a tough battle, as the hosts are familiar with local conditions and will enjoy crowd support.

However, with momentum on their side and growing self-belief, Pakistan is expected to enter the match with high confidence.

Victory against Uzbekistan would likely guarantee Pakistan’s place in the next stage of the tournament, potentially setting them up for a deep run in the championship — a historic achievement for the country at the junior level.

Coach’s Comments

Speaking after the match, Pakistan’s head coach expressed pride in the players’ discipline and mental strength:

“We came here to compete, not just participate. Our boys stuck to the plan and showed great maturity. Beating Belgium is a huge achievement, but our journey is just beginning.”

This impressive start is a ray of hope for the revival of volleyball in Pakistan, and the world will be watching to see how far this talented squad can go.