Indonesia Edges India To Secure AVC Cup 2026 Final Spot

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian men’s national volleyball team defeated host India in the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Volleyball Cup at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, India, on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The dramatic 3-2 victory secured Indonesia’s first-ever berth in the final.

Indonesia fell 15-25 in the opening set but bounced back with a narrow 26-24 win in the second. The team continued its momentum with a 25-20 triumph in the third set. India responded strongly, taking the fourth set 25-19. In the deciding set, however, Indonesia broke India’s resistance with a 15-13 win to seal the match.

Head coach Reidel Alfonso Gonzales Toiran fielded his best lineup, and the team played with confidence against the home crowd. Assistant coach Nur Widayanto acknowledged that India gained extra motivation from its supporters. “Their fans gave them additional energy and confidence,” Nur said on Saturday.

Nur admitted Indonesia struggled in the first set against India’s powerful jump serves. “In the second and third sets, our first-touch reception improved because the players already knew how to control the ball,” he explained.

This victory marks a historic milestone as Indonesia advances to the AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup final for the first time. The team will face South Korea in the championship match. (Gusti Panji)