NAGOYA, Japan – Three-time defending champion Iran made mincemeat of Pakistan, winning 25-13, 25-15, 25-11, to advance to the finals against Japan in the men’s volleyball competition at the 20thAsian Games Aichi-Nagoya on Friday, Oct. 2.
So overpowering was Iran it needed only 58 minutes to seal the win – thanks largely to outside hitter Ali Haghparast, who fired 21 points, highlighted by 14 hits on top of four blocks and three aces.
It was Iran’s best game so far, as Amin Esmaelnezhad and Seyed Eisa Naseri Chenari delivered 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Apart from its brilliant offense, Iran’s defense was also rock-solid after posting 15 blocks, five of them coming from Chenari.
Japan, on the other hand, banked on its thunderous serves and solid defense to beat the taller China squad, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18, 19-25, 15-13 before an enthralled home crowd at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium.
The match was tense and electric right from very start both teams coming through with brilliant combinations. But in the end, Japan’s chemistry prevailed.
The much-awaited finals between Iran and Japa is set on Saturday – the final day of the competition.
Hiroto Nishiyama was the “rock star” for Japan with 28 points while Kai Masato and Tatsunori Otsuka added 18 points each.
Wen Zihua, as expected, paced China with 18 points.
China and Pakistan will battle for the bronze.
In the battle for fifth to eighth places, India gained a head start with a 25-16, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23 win against South Korea in a game that saw Jerome Vinith Charles erupt for 24 points highlighted by 23 spikes.
India will face Thailand for the No. 5 after the latter pulled off a 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-21 win over Qatar.
Four other players from India scored eight points or more – thanks to Vasant Lad Om, who produced 34 excellent sets.
India’s concerted efforts put to waste South Korean Han Taejun’s impressive playmaking. He also logged 34 excellent sets.
Chinese-Taipei pressed its bid for a 9th place-finish with a 25-11, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20 win over Kzakhstan, with Chang Yu-sheng topscoring with 21points.
Standing in its way was Vietnam, which pipped Indonesia, 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 25-22 – thanks to Hieu Tang Ngoc and Ngoc Thuan Nguyen, who tallied for 15 points each.
Bryan Bagunas fired 26 points as the Philippines nailed its first win with a 25-19, 25-15, 23-25, 25-17 victory over Uzbekistan.
The win pushed Alas Pilipinas Men into the battle for No. 13 against Kyrgyzstan, which eked out a 13-25, 26-24, 27-25, 25-23 decision over Hong Kong-China.
Alas’ win was also celebrated back home by their supporters after witnessing the team’s improvements, especially in their chemistry.
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