Ali Thameem
Maldives have emerged victorious over Bangladesh on the opening day of CAVA Cup 2025, winning the game in three straight sets.
The Maldives team started with Nareema Idhrees and Hawwa Sakha as middle blockers, Hawwa Rashida and Aminath Areesha as outside hitters, Aminath Shaha as opposite hitter, and Fathmath Jooza as the setter.
The week-long CAVA Cup featuring four nations started earlier this evening, with Kyrgyzstan winning it in three sets against Afghanistan.
Maldives had taken the lead from first serve and managed to hold on to the lead for the most part of the first set – Bangladesh were able to take the lead on three instances but could not widen the lead beyond two points.
The first set ended 25-18, Maldives having widened the lead to nine points at one point.
The home side played with even more confidence in the second set, taking even a bigger point-margin. Bangladesh were able to score just 12 points.
Just as in the first set, Maldives were able to gain a healthy lead in the late stage of the third set and run with it. Bangladesh managed to narrow it to two points making it 18-16. But Maldives scored seven points in succession, keeping Bangladesh tied at 16 points and winning the set with ease.
Maldives will take on Afghanistan in the second fixture on Sunday night. The game is scheduled to start at 08:40pm local time.
