India reach Asian Championship quarterfinals as Bahrain fall short

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The quarterfinal line-up at the AVC Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship in Fukuoka is now complete, with India securing the final available spot despite Bahrain’s straight-set victory over Oman on Wednesday.

The result was not enough for Bahrain. The hosts of Pool A defeated Oman 3-0 (25:16, 25:19, 25:23), drawing level with India in wins, points and set ratio. However, India held the advantage in point ratio, allowing them to advance as the second-best third-placed team in the tournament.
Sayed Hashem Ali led Bahrain with 13 points, sharing the match-high with Oman’s Fallah Saleem Al-Aabed Mubarak Al Jaradi. Bahrain middle blocker Hasan Haider Mohamed was particularly effective at the net, recording seven kill blocks and finishing with 11 points. Abdulla Ebrahim Moh”D added 10, while Oman opposite Majid Abdallah Ali Al-Shibli also reached double figures with 11 points.

With the pool phase now complete, the quarterfinal match-ups are set.
Thailand will face Australia on Thursday, while Iran will meet Chinese Taipei. On Friday, Korea will take on China before hosts Japan face India.

Thailand completed the pool phase unbeaten at the top of Pool C after surviving a thrilling five-set battle against Chinese Taipei. The Thai side prevailed 3-2 (25:23, 22:25, 23:25, 25:22, 15:10), finishing first with a 3-0 record and seven points. Korea also advanced in second place with two wins and seven points, while Chinese Taipei took third with one win and four points.
Napadet Bhinijdee was Thailand’s leading scorer with 28 points, while Chaiwat Thungkham contributed 26. Chinese Taipei had five players in double figures, led by captain and opposite Chang Yu-Sheng with 20 points.

Iran, meanwhile, claimed top spot in Pool B after defeating China 3-1 (25:23, 23:25, 25:22, 25:23) in a decisive clash between two previously unbeaten teams.
The match was closely contested throughout, with Iran ultimately prevailing thanks to greater efficiency and fewer unforced errors. Poriya Khanzadeh led all scorers with 20 points, including two blocks and an ace, while Morteza Sharifi added 17.
China had four players reach double figures: Wang Bin scored 18, Jiang Chuan 14, Wen Zihua 13 and Zhang Jingyin 12.

The Asian Championship is being played as a qualification tournament for both the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, adding further importance to every match in Fukuoka.
The quarterfinals begin on Thursday, with Thailand facing Australia at 15:30 local time, followed by Iran vs Chinese Taipei at 19:30. On Friday, Korea will meet China before Japan take on India for the final place in the semifinals.

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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 3-0 (25:16, 25:19, 25:23)
13.30 (Local Time) – Chinese Taipei – Thailand 2-3 (23:25, 25:22, 25:23, 22:25, 10:15)
17.00 (Local Time) – Iran – China 3-1 (25:23, 23:25, 25:22, 25:23)

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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