Iran, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei reach AVC Cup semifinals

 Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, September 26, 2016 – Favourites Iran had to work hard to pull off a dramatic four-set victory over hosts Thailand in the SMM 5th AVC Cup for Men on Monday and set up a semifinal against Asian champions Japan. 

China and Chinese Taipei will clash in the other semifinal. China defeated Chinese Taipei in the Preliminary Round.

Seven of the teams in Thailand will be playing in the FIVB World League next year. Qatar was the only Asian World League team who failed to make it to Thailand. Hosts Thailand are the only team who won’t feature in next year’s World League.

Against Thailand, world No. 7 Iran, the only team from Asia to compete in the Rio Olympic Games, fielded a strong line-up led by Alireza Mobasheri, Rahman Davoodi and Reza Ghara. Powerful attacker Jirayu Raksakaew, Kittikun Sri-utthawong and Kitsada Somkane spearheaded the hosts.

Iran, who captured the 2008 and 2010 AVC Cup titles, overcame their hosts 25-22, 28-30, 25-20, 25-16 and will now face Japan, who they beat in straight sets in the Preliminary Round. Thailand will contest the 5th-8th classification round.

Rahman Davoodi tallied 18 points for Iran including 14 kills from 22 attempts. Reza Ghara added 12 kills. Masoud Gholami Renani contributed seven kill blocks and Reza Ghara five. Jirayu Raksakaew top-scored with 19 points for Thailand, including 18 kills from 45 attempts.

“Truly, we played a very difficult match today against Thailand,” Iran’s head coach Shahnazi …

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