Japan and Iran move closer to the quarterfinals as Chinese Taipei celebrate first win

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Japan and Iran are now one step closer to the quarterfinals of the AVC Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship, while Chinese Taipei finally opened their winning account in Fukuoka on Sunday.
On the third day of competition, the two continental powers collected their second victories of the tournament, both in straight sets.
Japan overcame Bahrain 3-0, Iran produced another convincing performance against India, while Chinese Taipei defeated Qatar in three sets to claim their first success.
The Asian Championship is carrying additional significance this year, serving not only as the continent’s premier national-team competition but also as a qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup.

For Japan, the second victory came in front of almost 7,000 supporters at the Kitakyushu City Gymnasium. After being pushed harder in their opening match, the hosts controlled the encounter from the beginning and swept Bahrain 25:15, 25:15, 25:23.
The result puts Japan at the top of the current Pool A standings with a 2-0 record, six points and a 6-1 set ratio. Bahrain, meanwhile, are still waiting for their first set of the tournament after two matches.
Ran Takahashi was once again at the centre of Japan’s attack. The outside hitter finished as the match’s leading scorer with 19 points, including three aces and a kill block, while converting an impressive 71 per cent of his attacks.
Captain Yuki Ishikawa added 12 points, with three coming from the block, as Japan maintained control throughout most of the match. Bahrain’s Mahmood Ahmed Abdulwahed was his team’s top scorer with 10 points.

Iran are following a remarkably similar path in Pool B. Their 3-0 victory over India – 25:20, 28:26, 25:18 – was their second consecutive straight-set win and leaves them in an excellent position to reach the knockout stage.
Poriya Khanzadeh led the way. The 22-year-old outside hitter produced a match-high 20 points, attacking at 67 per cent efficiency while adding an ace and a block. Middle blocker Mohammad Valizadeh was another key figure, contributing 11 points, including five of Iran’s 16 blocks.
Opposite Ali Hajipour also reached double figures with 11 points, giving Iran three players who played a decisive role in another dominant performance.
India, like Bahrain, are still without a set victory after their opening two matches. Chirag Yadav led the Indian scoring charts with 11 points, while captain Jerome Vinith Charles finished with 10.

The day’s other winner was Chinese Taipei, who finally had reason to celebrate.
In Pool C, captain and opposite Chang Yu-Sheng produced an outstanding individual performance to guide his team past Qatar 3-0, with sets of 25:19, 25:22 and 28:26.
Chang finished with 20 points, including an impressive six kill blocks, 13 successful attacks and one ace. Wen Yi-Kai added 15 points for the winners, with two blocks and an ace completing his contribution.
Qatar fought until the final points but suffered their second consecutive straight-set defeat. Yousef Alyafeai scored 13 points, while 13-year-old opposite Mubarak Musa Thiik Madut continued to attract attention with 11 points, including three aces and a block.
At the other end of the age spectrum, Qatar’s 41-year-old captain Ibrahim Mohamed also reached double figures, finishing with 11 points after contributing two aces and a block.

The Asian Championship continues on Monday, September 7, with three more matches on the schedule.
Oman and Australia will open the day in Pool A at 10:00 local time (01:00 UTC), followed by New Zealand against China in Pool B at 13:30 (04:30 UTC). The day will conclude with Thailand facing Korea in Pool C at 17:00 (08:00 UTC).

With the race for the quarterfinals beginning to take shape, another important day in Fukuoka awaits.

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🏐| Group stage schedule:

Friday September 4, 2026
12.00 (Local Time) – Iran – New Zealand 3-0 (25:15, 25:12, 25:22)
16.00 (Local Time) – Republic of Korea – Chinese Taipei 3-1 (29:27, 19:25, 25:15, 25:15)
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Oman 3-1 (25:18, 25:13, 20:25, 25:9)

Saturday September 5, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Australia – Bahrain 3-0 (25:20, 25:18, 25:21)
13.30 (Local Time) – China – India 3-0 (25:21, 28:26, 27:25)
16.00 (Local Time) – Qatar – Thailand 0-3 (22:25, 19:25, 14:25)

👉🏼Sunday September 6, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Iran – India 3-0 (25:20, 28:26, 25:18)
13.30 (Local Time) – Qatar – Chinese Taipei 0-3 (19:25, 22:25, 26:28)
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Bahrain 3-0 (25:15, 25:15, 25:23)

Monday September 7, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Oman – Australia 0-3 (18:25, 14:25, 22:25)
13.30 (Local Time) – New Zealand – China 0-3 (17:25, 22:25, 18:25)
17.00 (Local Time) – Thailand – Republic of Korea 3-2 (25:18, 25:16, 20:25, 22:25, 15:12)

Tuesday September 8, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – India – New Zealand 3-0 (25:22, 25:18, 25:21)
13.30 (Local Time) – Qatar – Republic of Korea 0-3 (20:25, 19:25, 15:25)
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Australia 3-0 (25:20, 25:13, 25:21)

Wednesday September 9, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Bahrain – Oman
13.30 (Local Time) – Chinese Taipei – Thailand
17.00 (Local Time) – Iran – China

After the group stage, eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals, and on September 13, the Asian champion and the first men’s team to win an Olympic quota for Los Angeles 2028 through the qualification system will be determined.

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