Hong Kong men’s volleyball team bow out early at AVC Cup in Thailand

They go down 3-0 to Thailand in their opening match before losing to South Korea in a largely one-sided affair

China power past Taiwan in a rematch of their 2021 Asian Championship bronze medal game to start their AVC campaign strongly

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Hong Kong in action at AVC Cup 2022. Photo: AVC

Published: 4:41pm, 9 Aug 2022

Hong Kong’s men’s volleyball team failed to make the final eight of the 2022 AVC Cup for Men in Thailand, following back-to-back losses to Thailand and South Korea.

After Hong Kong’s women won their first ever AVC Challenge Cup in June, the city’s men were unable to replicate their success, going down 3-0 to Thailand in their opening match before another 3-0 loss to South Korea in what was largely a one-sided affair.

The tournament sees 11 of the region’s top teams, including hosts Thailand, India, Australia, Taiwan, China and Japan, test their mettle at the 4,000-seater Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium in central Thailand.

Hong Kong fell to Thailand in their opening AVC Cup for Men at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium. Photo: AVC Cup

Hong Kong, under head coach Dragan Mihailovic from Serbia, got off to a great start against Thailand, thanks to the powerful attacks from 197cm-tall Chun Ho-tam and Poon Chi-leung.

It wasn’t long before Thailand were able to improve on their dismal start, sending in experienced players Amorntep Konhan and the towering hitter Kantapat Koonme, who proved highly effective.

From there, it seemed Thailand had shrugged off their rust as they chased from trailing 2-6 to catch the spirited visitors at 13-13 before advancing 16-15.

Hong Kong then failed to make their mark in Pool A and went down to fired-up South Korea, who placed third at the recent FIVB Challenger Cup.