India beat Qatar 3-2 after epic comeback, enter volleyball quarters
India pulled off a stunning comeback from two sets down to beat Qatar 3-2 and book their place in the men’s volleyball quarterfinals at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday. After losing the opening two sets, India fought back to win 26-28, 25-27, 25-23, 25-20, 24-22 in a marathon Pool C contest that lasted two hours and 47 minutes.
The result completed an unbeaten group-stage campaign for India, who finished top of Pool C with three wins from three. Their reward is a place in the quarterfinals on Thursday, with the opponent still to be confirmed.
Asian Games, Sept 29 UpdatesUffffffffffff I m not cryingIndia tops the pool advance to quarterfinals after losing first 2 points - great comeback for last 3 setPlayers - shows what character they haveJohn- hatsoff to you man3-2 #volleyball #asiangames2026 pic.twitter.com/ylDSTfQ22J— ganga (@majja_ni_life_1) September 29, 2026
Qatar had looked firmly in control after edging two extremely tight opening sets. India had opportunities in both, but could not convert them, leaving themselves needing to win three straight sets to keep their campaign alive.
That is exactly what they managed to do. India took the third set 25-23, followed it with a 25-20 win in the fourth and forced a decider, where the match descended into a remarkable battle of nerves.
The fifth set saw India survive nine match points before finally sealing the contest 24-22. John Joseph produced crucial blocks in the closing stages to help India get over the line, while Jerome Vinith led the scoring with 27 points. Amit Singh Balwan added 24 and Joel Benjamin Jebaraj contributed 17.
India had begun their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Vietnam, winning 25-23, 25-21, 25-20. The opening set was closely contested before India gained control and completed the win in one hour and 24 minutes.
They then followed it up with another 3-0 result against Hong Kong China, winning 25-22, 25-19 and 25-21. Qatar had also entered the final Pool C match unbeaten after beating Hong Kong 3-1 in their opener.
With both sides already assured of progression, the final pool match was about deciding who would finish at the top. India eventually took that spot, but only after being pushed to the absolute limit.HOW INDIA FOUND A WAY BACK
The opening two sets had been frustrating for India. They had chances to finish both in their favour but Qatar were more composed when the margins became smallest, taking the first 28-26 and the second 27-25.
The third set changed the momentum. India held their nerve at 25-23 and then produced their most convincing volleyball of the match in the fourth, opening up a 2-2 scoreline.
Qatar's 13-year-old Musa Mubarak continued to cause problems and finished with 40 points, but India refused to let the match slip away in the decider.
At 23-22, India were still under enormous pressure, having already survived multiple match points. John Joseph's blocking then came to the fore as India won the final two points to complete one of the most dramatic comebacks of their Asian Games campaign.
India now move into the knockout stage with their quarterfinal scheduled for October 1. The four men's volleyball quarterfinals will be played on Thursday.- Ends
