India clinches CAVA Women’s Nations League defeating Nepal

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 8: After 14 matches played across the span of a week, India lifted the 4th edition of the CAVA Women’s Nations League by defeating Nepal in the final at Dasharath Stadium’s Covered Hall in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Nepal led the final by clinching the first set. However, while the fans shook the hall to its core as the indoor complex was accommodating audiences over twice its capacity, India made a comeback in the second set.

Nepal won the first set by 25-23. On the other hand, India, a higher-ranking team, showed the difference between the teams by winning the second set with a wide gap. Nepal lost the second set by 14-25.

Nevertheless, as the shout of ‘Nepal’ did not stop in the hall, the players continued earning points by giving their best. The third set ended in favour of Nepal (25-22) and the host led the match with 2-1 sets.

Nepal had the chance to win the trophy in the fourth set, but the visitors did not allow it. Yet, the most important set was bagged by India with a score of 25-21.

Meanwhile, as the match went to the final and fifth set, the crowd stopped being as loud as before because India led the fifth set 3-0 before Nepal got the first point, but India kept the gap wider and wider.

Finally, India won the fifth set with a score of 15-5 and reopened old wounds from the final of the 13th South Asian Games as Nepal was denied the gold by India then as well.

Nepal’s coach and captain alongside every player were anticipating winning the tournament and defeating the mighty rival India for the cup. Nepal was able to make history by defeating India in the league stage of the tournament, but the win while playing for the trophy must still wait.

Nepal had even played practice matches against Russia to prepare for the CAVA Women’s League. The practice matches improved the gameplay of Nepali players, but it was not enough. 

Similarly, in another match on Wednesday, Iran defeated Sri Lanka in three consecutive sets (25-22, 28-26 and 25-17) to finish third in the tournament.

Alongside the Cup, India was feted with the gold medal. Nepal and Iran ended their campaign with silver and bronze respectively.

India´s Shalini was one of the best middle blocker and most valuable player of the tournament. Similarly, India´s Juhi and Sooriya were best setter and middle blocker. Iran players were also inducted as a best outside hitter and middle blocker.

Nepal´s Salina Shrestha was the best libero and Saraswati Chaudhary was the best opposite player.