Zhang Jingyin (L) of China blocks the ball during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
KITAKYUSHU, Japan, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China suffered its first defeat at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship here on Wednesday, losing 3-1 to Iran in its final Pool B match but advancing to the quarterfinals as group runner-up.
Iran prevailed 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23 in a tightly contested match in which no set was decided by more than three points.
Iran edged the opening set before China responded by the same scoreline in the second. The four-time Asian champion regained the lead by taking the third set 25-22 and held firm in another close finish to seal the fourth 25-23.
The two sides were level with 62 attacking points and eight blocks apiece, while China held a 5-3 advantage in service aces. However, Iran collected 25 points from Chinese errors, compared with the 18 China received from its opponent.
Poriya Khanzadeh led Iran with a match-high 20 points. Wang Bin paced China with 18 points, while Jiang Chuan added 14.
China head coach Vital Heynen said after the match that Iran's players had shown greater experience in the crucial moments.
Iran finished the pool stage unbeaten with nine points from three matches. China, which had recorded straight-set victories over India and New Zealand, placed second with two wins and six points.
In Wednesday's other matches, Bahrain swept Oman 25-16, 25-19, 25-23 in Pool A, while Thailand defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10) to finish top of Pool C with three wins.
India secured the final quarterfinal berth ahead of Bahrain on points ratio.
In the quarterfinals, China will face South Korea on Thursday. Thailand will take on Australia earlier in the day. Iran plays Chinese Taipei and host Japan meets India on Friday.
The tournament runs until September 13. ■
Seyed Eisa Naseri Chenari (top) of Iran spikes the ball during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Qu Zongshuai (front, R) of China celebrates scoring during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of China react during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wen Zihua (C) and Li Yongzhen (R) of China block the ball during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Morteza Sharifi (top) of Iran spikes the ball during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Bin (R) of China spikes the ball during the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Vital Heynen, head coach of China, is seen before the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of China line up before the pool B match between Iran and China at AVC Men's Volleyball Continental Championship in Kitakyushu, Japan, Sept. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
