Hangzhou, China, September 25, 2023 – As hosts China eye to end 25-year gold-medal drought, reigning champions Iran moved a step closer to title hat-trick. The two unbeaten teams are now set to lo lock horns in a highly-anticipated confrontation at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Men’s Volleyball Competition in the Tuesday’s final showdown at Linping Sports Center Gymnasium.
The stage is set for the electrifying finale to mark the end of the men’s volleyball competition after hectic eight days in the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. Both China and Iran are expected to push their limits, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for the accomplished Asian Games dreams.
China had captured their last Asian Games men’s volleyball gold medal in the 1998 Bangkok Games in Thailand and since then they had never returned from the Asian Games with gold medal. The Chinese finished fourth in 2002 in Busan, Korea, picked up silver medal in the 2006 Doha Games in Qatar and took the fourth position in the 2014 Incheon Games in Korea, but they were disappointed to finish the Games empty-handed in 2010 Guangzhou Games on home soil and the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia.
Iran, on the other hand, are defending and consecutive two-time Asian Games gold medallists and the winners at the 2019, 2021 Asian Senior Men’s Championship. However, following the upset loss to Japan in the final showdown at the recent 2023 Asian Championship on home soil, Iran have their sights set on a huge comeback and the lost pride to be regained in Hangzhou, where they set their sights on winning the Asian Games title for three times in succession.
The Asian Games dreams of both teams started in Hangzhou on September 19, but only one team will return with their dream come true on Tuesday, September 26.
On Monday, the penultimate day of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Men’s Volleyball Competition, China and Iran cruised past their respective opponents in the do-or-die semifinals.
At the packed Linping Sports Center Gymnasium, fired-up Iran, current world No11, managed a 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-22) shutout of FIVB Challenger Cup silver medallists Qatar in the first semifinal clash.
Outside hitter Amirhossein Esfandiar chipped in with 19 points including 14 kills, 2 blocks and team-leading 3 aces for Iran, while outside hitter Youssef Oughlaf scored 10 points including 9 attacks from 21 attempts in the Qatar’s loss.
The second semifinal match saw star spiker Zhang…
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