TEHRAN - Iran’s national volleyball team settled for the Asian silver medal after suffering a straight-set defeat against Japan in the final of the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship.
Facing Japan, Roberto Piazza’s squad was swept in three consecutive sets. The starting lineup for Iran featured Morteza Sharifi, Eisa Naseri, Ali Hajipour, Pouria Hussein Khanzadeh, Muhammad Valizadeh, Arshia Behnezad, and Muhammadreza Hazratpour. Japan’s roster, directed by head coach Laurent Tillie, included Yuki Nishida, Taishi Onodera, Ran Takahashi, Hideomi Fukatsu, Dan Larry, Yuki Ishikawa, and Tomohiro Yamamoto.
First Set (Japan 25–21 Iran): Iran claimed the opening point after Takahashi’s serve hit the net and sailed out. Hajipour followed up by blocking Ishikawa, pushing Iran ahead 2–1. Japan later leveled the score at 5–5 following a disputed net return by Behnezad, and gradually built a 9–8 lead on an Ishikawa serve. Trailing 17–15, Iran fought back as Sharifi blocked Nishida, and Khanzadeh converted a back-row attack to make it 18–18. Despite tying the set at 19–19, Iran faltered in the closing rallies, dropping the set 25–21.
Second Set (Japan 26–24 Iran): Sharifi put Iran on the board first, and a pipe attack by Khanzadeh narrowed the gap early on. Trailing 10–8, Hajipour successfully blocked Takahashi to pull within one. An ace by Khanzadeh tied the game at 15–15, and another strong service winner briefly put Iran ahead. Tensions peaked at 22–22 after a collective block by Khanzadeh and Valizadeh. However, following a missed serve by a substitute and a direct ace from Ishikawa, Japan edged out a tight 26–24 win.
Third Set (Japan 25–23 Iran): Japan established an early lead, though powerful attacks from Hajipour and Khanzadeh kept Iran close, eventually knotting the score at 16–16. A quick net finish by Hajipour gave Iran a late 20–19 advantage. A fortunate net-cord ace by Nishida caught the Iranian backline off guard, putting Japan ahead 24–22. Japan closed out the set 25–23 to secure the gold medal, leaving Iran with a commendable silver finish.