Nepal storm into CAVA semis

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 25: Nepal advanced to the semi-finals of the CAVA Women's Volleyball Championship 2026 following a straight-sets victory over the Maldives on Sunday.

In their final Group A fixture, hosts Nepal cruised past the Maldives 25-12, 25-9, 25-20 at the NSC Indoor Hall in Kathmandu.

The result lifted Nepal to the top of Group A with seven points from three matches. Neighbours India sit in second place with five points from two matches, while Kyrgyzstan are third with three points.

The winners of Monday's match between India and Kyrgyzstan will claim the second qualification spot from Group A for the knockout stage.

Following three consecutive defeats, the Maldives have been eliminated.

Nepal had earlier started the tournament on a disappointing note, losing a five-set thriller to India 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 25-21, 9-15.

However, captained by Niruta Thagunna, Nepal bounced back to defeat Kyrgyzstan in straight sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-13) on Saturday.

Thagunna was named player of the match on Sunday for her match-winning performance.

Meanwhile, Iran and Kazakhstan also booked their spots in the last four from Group B.

With two consecutive wins under their belts, both sides advanced to the knockout round. Iran defeated Sri Lanka in straight sets (25-16, 25-13, 25-11). Bangladesh were no match for Kazakhstan, who eased past the South Asian nation 25-5, 25-9, 25-11 in the second match of the day.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh crashed out of the tournament after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Kazakhstan had opened their campaign with a 25-9, 25-18, 25-15 victory over Sri Lanka on Saturday, while Iran launched their tournament with a comfortable 25-6, 25-9, 25-10 win over Bangladesh.

The winners and runners-up of Group B will be decided when Kazakhstan face Iran on Monday. The semi-final line-up will be finalised after the conclusion of Monday's final three group stage matches.