ISLAMABAD: In what turned out to be a heart-wrenching end to a spirited campaign, Pakistan were robbed of a historic upset against world No. 1 Poland in the pre-quarterfinal of the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship 2025, all due to a highly controversial refereeing decision in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
With the deciding set tied at a nail-biting 16-16, Pakistan’s attacker unleashed a thunderous spike that left the Polish defenders scrambling. It looked to be a clean winner, a moment that could have propelled Pakistan to the brink of a sensational triumph. But in a stunning twist, the First Referee from Turkey awarded the point to Poland, claiming the Pakistani hitter had made contact with the antenna marker, a decision that not only surprised players and coaching staff but also flew in the face of video evidence.
Replays clearly showed that the Pakistani player had steered well clear of the net and marker, with Polish defenders instead appearing to have made the illegal touch. Yet with no video challenge system in place, the referee’s decision stood, handing Poland a match point, which they swiftly converted to seal an unjust victory.
“It was one of the worst officiating decisions I have seen in my entire volleyball career,” Pakistan’s head coach Saeed Sadi told The News. “We were right there on the verge of toppling the world No. 1 team and that chance was snatched away by a referee’s error. It’s incomprehensible. Our attacker did nothing wrong. The footage speaks for itself.”
The coach further added that the team, which had fought valiantly throughout the tournament, was devastated. “The boys are in shock. They had Poland on the ropes. This decision not only ended our campaign but also broke the spirit of a young team that had shown incredible heart and discipline.”
The controversial call has sparked outrage among Pakistani fans and volleyball officials, with many calling for the introduction of mandatory video review systems at all stages of international competitions.
Pakistan’s performance in the tournament, particularly this match, will long be remembered not just for their skill and grit, but also for a grave injustice that denied them a place among the last eight.
Pakistan ultimately narrowly lost the match by 2-3 sets, with set scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 21-25, 16-18. The match, played at a packed arena in Tashkent, kept spectators on the edge of their seats as both teams traded blows in a contest that showcased world-class skill, determination, and resilience. Pakistan started strong by winning the first set 25-21 with powerful attacks and disciplined blocking. Poland fought back in the second set, narrowly edging Pakistan 25-23.
With the match level at 1-1, Pakistan regained momentum to convincingly take the third set 25-17, driven by aggressive net play and precise serves. However, Poland refused to back down and responded with a 25-21 win in the fourth set. The deciding fifth set saw a nail-biting finish but it was Poland who rode on luck, cashing in on First Referee error to seize the set and match 18-16.
