Seven of eight quarterfinalists already confirmed in Fukuoka

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The quarterfinal picture at the AVC Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship is almost complete. After Monday’s action in Fukuoka, seven of the eight teams advancing to the last eight are already confirmed, with only one spot still to be decided in Pool B.
Australia and China became the first teams to secure their quarterfinal places, while their results also sent Japan and Iran through from Pools A and B respectively. In Pool C, Thailand survived a thrilling five-set battle with Korea to strengthen their position at the top of the standings, with all three leading teams now guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals.
The Asian Championship is particularly significant this year, serving as a qualification event for both the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

Australia opened Monday’s programme with a convincing 3-0 (25:18, 25:14, 25:22) victory over Oman, maintaining their perfect record in Pool A. The Australians have now won both of their matches without dropping a set and sit at the top of the standings, while the result also confirmed Japan’s progression to the quarterfinals.
The decisive battle for first place will now come down to Australia and hosts Japan, who will meet directly in the final match of the pool. Oman and Bahrain, meanwhile, remain winless and will face each other with third place at stake.
Lorenzo Pope was Australia’s leading scorer with 16 points, combining 12 kills with three blocks and an ace while converting 60% of his attacks. Opposite Lincoln Alexander Williams added 12 points and was particularly effective from the service line, producing three of Australia’s six aces. For Oman, Fallah Saleem Al-Aabed Mubarak Al Jaradi and Majid Abdallah Ali Al-Shibli finished with 11 points each.

China then followed Australia into the quarterfinals with another straight-set victory, defeating New Zealand 3-0 (25:17, 25:22, 25:18) to claim their second win in Pool B. The result also confirmed Iran’s qualification, with both teams now sitting on two victories without losing a set.
For New Zealand and India, the situation is considerably more complicated. Both remain without a win and will meet with third place in Pool B still to be decided, with the final quarterfinal ticket on the line.
Zhang Jingyin led China’s scoring with 11 points despite playing only the opening two sets. He finished with one ace, one block and a 64% attacking efficiency. New Zealand’s Mana Placid was the match’s top scorer, collecting 15 points through eight kills, four blocks and three aces.

The most dramatic match of the day came later in Pool C, where Thailand held off a remarkable Korean comeback to win 3-2 (25:18, 25:16, 20:25, 22:25, 15:12).
Thailand appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory after taking the first two sets, but Korea fought back brilliantly to level the match and force a deciding fifth set. Thailand ultimately held their nerve, closing out the match 15-12 to move to two wins from two and five points at the top of the pool.
Korea remain second with one win, one defeat and four points, while Chinese Taipei sit third with three points. Crucially, all three teams are now guaranteed to advance to the quarterfinals. The third-placed team in Pool C is certain to finish with a better record than the third-placed team in Pool B, meaning the identity of the final eight is already almost complete.
Thailand’s Napadet Bhinijdee and Korea’s Heo Subong shared the scoring honours, both finishing with 25 points. Bhinijdee contributed 23 spike kills and two aces, while Heo matched the total with the same combination of points.
Thailand also received important contributions from Chaiwat Thungkham, who scored 20, Thanat Bamrungphakdi with 13 and middle blocker Toopadit Phraput with 11. Korea’s Donghyeok Im was also in double figures with 14 points.

The final pieces of the quarterfinal line-up will begin to fall into place on Tuesday, September 8. India face New Zealand at 10:00 local time, Qatar meet Korea at 13:30, while the headline match of the day will see hosts Japan take on Australia at 19:30.
With the quarterfinal places almost secured, that final clash in Pool A could determine not only who finishes first, but also the momentum heading into the decisive knockout stage.
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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
13.30 (Local Time) – Qatar – Republic of Korea
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Australia

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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