India spike their way past Qatar to set up quarterfinal clash against Pakistan

India pulled off a stirring comeback win against Qatar in their final pool match to march into the quarterfinals with a clean slate at the Asian Games 2026 volleyball competitions. India will now take on Pakistan at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan, on Thursday.

India head into the knockout contest unbeaten at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 after topping Pool C with three wins from as many matches. The Indians began their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam before beating Hong Kong China by the same margin.

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The Indian spikers then produced a stirring comeback against Qatar in their final pool match. After losing the opening two sets, India fought back to win 3-2 with a 26-28, 25-27, 25-23, 25-20, 24-22 scoreline.

The victory ensured that India finished ahead of Qatar at the top of Pool C and booked a quarterfinal against Pakistan, who finished second in Pool A.

Pakistan opened their campaign with wins over Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan before losing 3-0 to hosts Japan in their final pool match to finish runners-up.

World No. 39 Pakistan will also go into Thursday’s contest nine places above India in the volleyball rankings. Thursday’s contest will be a rematch of the two teams’ meeting at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Pakistan beat India 3-0 in the fifth-place classification match at Hangzhou 2023 and consequently finished fifth, while India ended the competition in sixth place. Pakistan also beat India 3-1 at Jakarta 2018.

India looking to end 40-year wait for Asian Games medal

India are looking to end a 40-year wait for an Asian Games men’s volleyball medal. Their last podium finish came at Seoul 1986, where they won bronze.

The Indian men have won three Asian Games volleyball medals overall – silver at Jakarta 1962 and bronze medals at Tokyo 1958 and Seoul 1986.

Pakistan, meanwhile, have won one Asian Games men’s volleyball medal – bronze at Jakarta 1962, the same edition in which India won silver.

The India vs Pakistan volleyball quarterfinals will be available to watch on live streaming and live telecast in India. The match is scheduled to start at 6:30 am Indian Standard Time (IST).