BD start on wrong foot

The Bangladesh volleyball team made a losing start to the AVC 1st Men's Challenge Cup when they suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Iraq in Colombo yesterday.

Bangladesh, who became runners-up in the Asian Men's Senior Central Zone Volleyball Championship in April last year, looked promising when they won the first set against Iraq 2-20.

However, the boys eventually lost the second and third sets 18-25 and 17-25.

Bangladesh did bounce back in the fourth set though, winning 25-21 and equalling the set tally at 2-2.

However, they ultimately conceded defeat when they lost the fifth and final set 9-15.

Bangladesh, who entered the eight-team competition on the back of a month-long preparation camp in Iran, will play their second Pool B match against UAE on Sunday.

Pool A is comprised of Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.