Iran, Japan to Face Off for 2023 Asian Volleyball Championship Title
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran will face Japan in the 2023 Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship final on Saturday.
Saturday’s title-decider is a rematch of the gold medal game from the tournament’s previous edition two years ago in the Japanese city of Chiba/Funabashi. The Iranians broke Japan’s hearts then as they claimed their second successive Asian crown and fourth overall.
The Japanese will this time be looking to return the favor as it guns for its record 11th continental title, with its last triumph coming in 2017.
The final is scheduled for a 6:00 pm start, local time, and nothing less than an action-packed barnburner is expected.
Earlier, China and Qatar will face in bronze medal contest.
Iran put in a class performance against China in the Final Four victory Friday. Despite the best efforts of the Chinese, the Iranians were able to close out the contest 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-23).
Outside hitter Milad Ebadipour scored 11 points for victorious Iran, while middle blocker Mohammad Valizadeh and opposite spiker Saber Kazemi finished with 10 points each.
Outside hitter Wang Bin led China with 12 markers, while middle blocker Wang Dongchen and outside hitter Deng Xinpeng contributed six points apiece.