TEHRAN - Iran’s national volleyball team recorded its second consecutive victory at the 2026 Asian Championship after defeating India in straight sets early Sunday.
Roberto Piazza’s side won 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-18) in its second group-stage match.
Iran, which also beat New Zealand in its opening match, will face China on Wednesday in its final group-stage fixture.
Iran started with Morteza Sharifi, Issa Nasseri, Ali Hajipour, Pouria Hussein Khanzadeh, Muhammad Valizadeh, Arshia Behnejad and libero Muhammad Reza Hazratpour.
India’s starting lineup included Jerome Vineeth Charles, John Joseph Entongal Joseph, Chirag Yadav, Amit Balwan Singh, Shekhar Singh, Muthusamy Appavu and Anand Kuttarathil.
India are coached by Dragan Mihailovic.
Iran made a strong start to the opening set, with Hussein Khanzadeh scoring the first two points before Sharifi added an ace to give Piazza’s team an early advantage.
Nasseri’s quick attack helped Iran maintain control as the lead grew to 13-7.
India later cut the deficit to 20-16, prompting Piazza to call a timeout. The Indian side then reduced the gap further, but Iran regained control and closed out the set 25-20.
The second set proved far more competitive.
The teams traded points early before India moved 16-14 ahead, forcing Piazza to call another timeout.
Iran recovered to level at 16, but India again pulled clear and led 22-19.
Nasseri then scored with a quick attack and followed it up with a block to bring Iran back into the contest.
India held a 25-24 advantage before Valizadeh’s quick attack tied the score after a long rally.
Hussein Khanzadeh then delivered a service ace to put Iran 27-26 ahead, before Haghparast sealed the set with a block. India challenged the final point for a net touch, but the review was unsuccessful and Iran took the set 28-26.
Iran controlled the third set from the outset, opening an 8-4 lead and later extending it to 11-5.
The advantage remained comfortable throughout the set, with Valizadeh producing a solo block on an Indian pipe attack to give Iran its 23rd point.
Iran went on to win the set 25-18 and complete the straight-sets victory.