News / Sports

Iran sinks title-holder China in Asian U20 Volleyball C’ships opener

Sunday, 22 July 2018 8:29 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 28 July 2018 9:45 AM ]

This picture shows a view of the 2018 Asian Men's U20 Volleyball Championship Pool A match between the Iran men’s national under-20 volleyball team (players in players) and China in Riffa, Bahrain, on July 21, 2018.

The Iran men’s national under-20 volleyball team has strongly opened its campaign at the preliminary round of the 2018 Asian Men's U20 Volleyball Championship, defeating defending champion China in straight sets.

On Saturday, the young Iranian sportsmen brushed aside their Chinese counterparts 3-0 (25-22, 25-13 and 25-22) in a Pool A match played in the Bahraini city of Riffa.

Morteza Sharifi bagged 14 points and was Iran’s best scorer, while China’s Diao Jianfei managed to get 20 points and was named as the best scorer of the game.

“My players did a really good job today. In the third set, they acted as if they had already won the match so they missed some points, providing the chance for China to catch up. We are trying to do our best to win every match. For us, every match is like the final one and we fight for every ball,” Iran’s head coach Behrouz Ataei said after the match.

The Iran men’s national under-20 volleyball team is scheduled to face South Korea in its second match on Monday.

Iran is pitted against China and South Korea in Pool A of the 2018 Asian Men's U20 Volleyball Championship.

This picture shows a view of the 2018 Asian Men's U20 Volleyball Championship Pool A match between the Iran men’s national under-20 volleyball team (players in players) and China in Riffa, Bahrain, on July 21, 2018.

Japan, Thailand and Turkmenistan are drawn in Pool B. Australia, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka form Pool C.

Pool D consists of Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar. Chinese Taipei, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are drawn in Pool E.

Hong Kong, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates shape Pool F, while India and New Zealand area in Pool G. Pool H comprises Macau, the Maldives and Malaysia.

The 2018 Asian Men's U20 Volleyball Championship started on July 21, and will run through July 28, 2018.

The top two teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Men's U21 World Championship as Asian representatives.

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