September28September 28, 2026

NAGOYA, Japan – Four-peat-seeking Iran and China expectedly advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s volleyball competition at the 20^th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya on a rainy Monday, Sept. 28.

First to strike was Iran, which demolished a weary Thailand side, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, for its second straight win in the preliminary round of Pool B at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Gymnasium, while China used its height advantage to the hilt to beat a stubborn Philippine side, 25-21, 25-20 25-22, in their Pool D match at the Park Arena Komaki.

By notching their second straight wins in the continental showpiece, China and Iran guaranteed themselves a spot in the next round, where only the top two teams from each of the four-country preliminary round qualify.

Equally impressive was host nation, Japan, which drubbed Kazakhstan, 25-16, 25-14, 25-20 in their Pool A match also in Okazaki, where local fans in Okazaki enjoyed the firepower displayed by their idols.

Outside hitter Tatsuno Otsuka led three Japanese players in double figures with 14 built on 12 hits and two blocks for also a 2-0 mark and a berth in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

India also followed them to the next round after a 25-22, 25-19, 25-21 win over Hong Kong for a perfect 2-0 start in Pool C also in Komaki. 

Behind the wondrous playmaking chores of Arshia Behnezhad, Iran encountered little problem in disposing of Thailand, as outside hitters Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzd and Ali Haghparast spewed fire from time to time.

Both star players scored 13 points – thanks to the 30 excellent sets of Behnezhad.

It also helped that Thailand was coming off a five-set win over Indonesia the other day, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23.

Thailand’s Napadet Bhinijdee, who exploded for 34 points on 30 of 60 spikes plus four blocks in their win over Indonesia, was held scoreless this time – no thanks to Iran’s rock-solid defense.

Indonesia bounced back from its defeat to Thailand by clobbering Kyrgyzstan, 27-25, 25-21, 25-15, while Pakistan also rolled to its second straight win with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 over Uzbekistan in Pool A at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park.

The win was also Pakistan’s second straight after beating Kazakhstan on the opener last Sunday.

Qatar, which beat Hong Kong on Sunday, drew level with India later in the day after downing Vietnam, 25-23, 28-26, 25-19.

South Korea likewise notched its second straight win with a 24-26, 25-10, 25-15, 25-23 win over Chinese-Taipei to cap another big night for the powerhouses.

All quarterfinal matches will be played in Okazaki on Thursday while the classification be held in Komaki.