TEHRAN - Iran’s national volleyball team opened its 2026 Asian Championship campaign with a comfortable straight-sets victory over New Zealand on Friday.
Roberto Piazza’s side defeated New Zealand 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-22) in the opening match of the tournament.
Iran will face India in its second match on Sunday at 4:30 a.m.
Iran started with Issa Nasseri, Mohammad Valizadeh, Arshia Behnejad, Ali Hajipour, Pouria Husseinkhanzadeh, Morteza Sharifi and libero Muhammad Reza Hazratpour.
New Zealand’s starting lineup consisted of Seth Dylan Grant, Daniel Malcolm, Mana Placide, John McManaway, Carrick James Corson, Thomas Peter Westie and Luke Connor Halston.
Sebastian Gonzalez is New Zealand’s head coach.
Iran controlled the opening set from the early stages, taking an 11-7 lead before steadily extending the gap.
A powerful spike from Hajipour helped Iran move 16-12 ahead, while pressure from Valizadeh’s serve further disrupted New Zealand’s reception.
Iran maintained control and closed out the first set 25-15.
Piazza’s players were even more dominant in the second set.
Iran quickly established an 8-2 advantage, while New Zealand struggled to execute its attacking combinations.
Amin Esmaeilnezhad and Mosafer came on as substitutes as Iran stretched its lead to 17-6.
Behnejad then set up Nasseri for a quick attack that gave Iran its 20th point, and the Iranian team went on to take the set 25-12.
New Zealand produced a stronger performance in the third set and briefly put Iran under pressure.
The teams were tied at 12 before New Zealand moved ahead for the first time in the match, prompting Piazza to call his first timeout.
The set remained level at 19 before Iran regained control. Haghparast’s attack put Iran 20-19 ahead, while an Esmaeilnezhad serve landed on the sideline to extend the lead to 22-20.
New Zealand failed on another pipe attack late in the set, allowing Iran to seal a 25-22 win and complete the 3-0 sweep.