Iran volleyball remains undefeated, advances to Asian Championship quarterfinals after win over China
Tehran - BORNA - Roberto Piazza's squad overcame China with set scores of 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 and 25-23 at the tournament being held in [host city], according to reports.
Iran, which had previously defeated New Zealand and India in its opening two matches, finished the group stage with a perfect record and now awaits its quarterfinal opponent.
Iran starting lineup: Morteza Sharifi, Isa Nasseri, Ali Hajipour, Pouria Hossein Khanzadeh, Mohammad Valizadeh, Arshia Behnejad.
Head coach: Roberto Piazza
China starting lineup: Zhejia Zhang, Hebin Wang, Bin Wang, Yongzhen Li, Zihua Wen, Jingyin Zhang, Zongshuai Ke.
Head coach: Vital Heynen
Match report
First set: Iran 25-23
The opening set began with a point from Morteza Sharifi, with both teams locked in a close contest from the start. Iran managed to maintain its lead and at one point opened a four-point advantage. China, however, fought back late with strong serves, cutting the deficit to just one point.
As China pushed to level the score, Seyed Isa Nasseri secured the final point with a spike, giving Piazza's side the first set 25-23.
Second set: China 25-23
China started the second set with an early lead, but Iran quickly closed the gap. Strong blocking and serves from Pouria Hossein Khanzadeh helped Iran move ahead. From 8-8, however, the two teams remained neck-and-neck, with neither able to build a comfortable margin. Iran briefly took a two-point lead, but China fought back, and the set was tied at 20.
China then moved ahead 22-20, but Hajipour leveled the score at 22-22. The Chinese side responded with two consecutive points to go up 24-22. Sharifi recovered one point, but China ultimately claimed the set 25-23, leveling the match at 1-1.
Third set: Iran 25-22
Iran made a strong start to the third set, establishing a solid lead over China with dominant play. Although the Chinese side attempted to close the gap, Piazza's players maintained their advantage, extending the margin to six points.
China, however, reduced the deficit to three points, prompting Piazza to call his first timeout of the set. The Chinese continued to chip away, eventually leveling the score at 19-19. The teams remained tied at 20, but Iran gradually pulled away once more, securing the set 25-22 to go up 2-1 in the match.
Fourth set: Iran 25-23
China took the first point of the fourth set through [Yu Yuan], but Iran responded quickly, with Pouria Hossein Khanzadeh registering Iran's first point. The set remained closely contested, with the teams exchanging points and staying level until 10-10. China then scored two consecutive points, prompting Piazza to call a timeout.
Iran regrouped and closed the gap, but China again moved two points ahead and attempted to maintain the margin. In the end, Iran fought back to secure the set 25-23 and take the match 3-1.
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