The Iranian men’s U23 team pulled off a tough three-set sweep over Japan 3-0, (27-25, 26-24, 25-20) to take the SMM 2nd Asian Men’s’ U23 Volleyball Championship. Iran defends their title at the event, posting an undefeated record throughout the competition.
As the top-two finishers in the competition, both Iran and Japan have qualified for the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U23 World Championships in Cario, Egypt. The event will take place from August 18-26.
Japan stuck with Iran the first two sets, throwing Iran off in the first, forcing them to use six substitutions just to cope with Japan’s strong offense. Iran came out more steady in the third set to take a small lead and keep in the entire set before winning 25-20.
In the bronze medal match, Chinese Taipei recorded a comeback win over Thailand 3-1, (19-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22). China was able to grab the fifth position in the tournament with an easy one-sided win over Pakistan in a sweep 3-0, (25-15, 25-13, 25-13).
Tuesday’s final results
7th-8th playoff: Kazakhstan b Malaysia 3-2 (22-25, 25-11, 25-23, 20-25, 15-10)
5th-6th playoff: China b Pakistan 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-13)
Bronze medal match: Chinese Taipei b Thailand 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22)
Championship match: Iran b Japan 3-0 (27-25, 26-24, 25-20)
Final team rankings
1. Iran – qualified for the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U23 World Championship in Egypt
2. Japan – qualified for the2017 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U23 World Championship in Egypt
3. Chinese Taipei
4. Thailand
5. China
6. Pakistan
7. Kazakhstan
8. Malaysia
9. Uzbekistan
10. Sri Lanka
11. Australia
Individual awards
Best Setter: Masaki Oya (Japan)
Best Libero: Suo Hou-Chen (Chinese Taipei)
Best Outside Spikers
Masato Katsuoka (Japan)
Esmaeil Mosafer (Iran)
Best Opposite Spiker: Amin Esmaeilnejad (Iran)
Best Middle Blockers
Lee Hsing-Kuo (Chinese Taipei)
Sahand Allahverdian (Iran)
Most Valuable Player: Rahman Taghizadeh (Iran)
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