Iran and Japan complete the semifinals in Fukuoka

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The semifinal lineup at the AVC Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship in Fukuoka is complete. Iran and Japan claimed the final two spots in the last four on Friday, joining Australia and Korea in a decisive Saturday that will have much more than medals at stake.

Iran will face Australia in the first semifinal at 15:30 local time, while hosts Japan will take on Korea at 19:30.
The two winners will not only advance to the Asian Championship final, but will also secure qualification for the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup.
A second victory would then put them within reach of the Asian title and the continental ticket to the men’s volleyball tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Iran had to work for its place in the semifinals, overcoming Chinese Taipei 3-1 (25:19, 25:19, 21:25, 25:18) in a match in which the eastern Asian side showed plenty of resistance.
The difference was made by outside hitter Porya Khanzadeh, who led all scorers with 24 points. He converted 67% of his attacks and added two kill blocks to his impressive performance.
Ali Hajipour, substitute opposite and captain Amin Esmaeilnezhad and outside hitter Morteza Sharifi contributed 12 points each for Iran. Sharifi also produced two aces and two kill blocks.
Chinese Taipei were led by outside hitter Chang Yu-Chen, who finished with 18 points. Wen Yi-Kai added 14, while captain and opposite Chang Yu-Sheng scored 11.

Japan, meanwhile, needed only three sets to secure the final semifinal place, delighting around 6,500 supporters at the Kitakyushu City Gymnasium with a convincing 3-0 (25:17, 25:15, 25:19) victory over India.
Ran Takahashi was the standout performer for the hosts. The Japanese outside hitter scored 14 points, including four aces and a kill block, to finish as the match’s top scorer, while Captain Yuki Ishikawa and opposite Yuji Nishida both contributed 12 points, attacking at a 65% success rate and added an ace, while Nishida recorded 11 successful attacks and a kill block. Middle blocker Larry Ik Evbade-Dan also made his presence felt with four blocks.
India’s leading scorer was once again opposite and captain Jerome Vinith Charles, who finished with 11 points.

The stage is now set for a crucial Saturday in Fukuoka.
Iran and Australia will meet at 15:30, followed four hours later by the showdown between hosts Japan and Korea.
With the 2027 World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification on the line, every point from here could have consequences far beyond the Asian Championship itself.

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🏐| 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship | Quarterfinals:

Thursday September 10, 2026
• 15.30 (Local Time) | Thailand – Australia 0-3 (22:25, 24:26, 19:25)
• 19.30 (Local Time) | South Korea – China 3-1 (17:25, 25:21, 25:22, 29:27)

👉🏼Friday September 11, 2026
• 15.30 (Local Time) | Iran – Chinese Taipei 3-1 (25:19, 25:19, 21:25, 25:18)
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Japan – India 3-0 (25:17, 25:15, 25:19)

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