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Asian Men’s U20 Volleyball Championship:
Iran crush China in opening match
The 22nd edition of the tournament started on Tuesday in Surabaya, Indonesia, with 16 teams vying for the title. Iranian volleyballers, drawn in Group B alongside China, Chinese Taipei, and Qatar, swept aside China in three straight sets (29-27, 25-21, 25-18) in their opening preliminary round matches, IRNA reported.
Arian Mahmoudinejad, Armin Qelich-Niazi, Matin Hosseini, Pouya Ariakhah, Taha Behbodnia, Emran Koukjili, and Mortaza Tabatabaei formed the starting lineup for Iran, who took full control throughout the match to notch up a conclusive win, bagging all the three points on offer.
Iran’s youths will continue their quest for glory on Tuesday and Thursday, facing Chinese Taipei and Qatar, respectively, in their remaining preliminary round fixtures.
Earlier in the day, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Saudi Arabia chalked up 3-0 victories against Kuwait, Qatar, and Australia, respectively, while Bangladesh, coached by Iranian Ali Pourorouji, went down fighting against India, losing 3-2.
The Iranian team is being guided by Gholamreza Moemeni-Moqaddam (head coach), Mohammad-Hossein Nejati, Mohammad Mansouri, and Amin aliakbari (assistant coaches), Hossein Kordfirouzjaei (physiotherapist), Saeed Jadidoleslam (data analyst), Mehdi Hassanzadeh (fitness coach), and Mahmoud Mohammadi Yazdi (masseur).