Pasay city: Asian Games champion Iran progressed to the next stage of the FIVB Men’s World Championship by defeating the host nation, the Philippines, in a closely contested match at the Mall of Asia Arena. The match ended with scores of 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20.
According to Philippines News Agency, Iran’s victory was led by outside hitter Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah, who scored 22 points, consisting of 19 attacks and three aces. Opposite Ali Hajipour Moghadam Farouji contributed 19 points from 14 attacks and three blocks, concluding Iran’s Pool A campaign with a record of 2-1.
Additional contributions came from Ali Haghparast and Yousef Kazemi Poshtpari, who scored nine and eight points, respectively. Despite an earlier loss to Egypt (17-25, 25-16, 23-25, 20-25) on September 14, Iran had previously defeated Tunisia (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16) on September 16.
Iran’s head coach, Italian Roberto Piazza, commented on the performance, stating, “In some moment, we were really afraid to play their ball. This one cannot be normal for us because if we want to improve the level, it’s true that we have to reach some goals about experience. But this one is not the level that the guys need to reach.”
For the Philippines, team captain Bryan Bagunas led with 22 points from 18 attacks, three blocks, and one ace. Leo Ordiales followed with 21 points, while Marck Espejo and Kim Malabunga added 15 and 10 points, respectively. The Philippines had earlier secured a historic win at the World Championship by defeating 11-time African champion Egypt (29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21).
Philippine coach Angiolino Frigoni expressed pride in the team’s progress, saying, “I am very proud. I am very proud because we improved a lot. We showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you for all the fans that came here because they support us very much.”
Tunisia also secured a place in the round of 16, defeating Egypt (25-19, 25-18, 25-22) for their second win in three outings, with significant contributions from Elyes Karamosli, Oussama Ben Romdhane, and Ali Bongui.
Other teams advancing to the next round include Poland and the Netherlands from Pool B, USA and Portugal from Pool D, Bulgaria and Slovenia from Pool E, and Trkiye and Canada from Pool G. The Round of 16 is set to commence on Saturday, with the tournament continuing in a single-elimination format through to the finals.
The local organizing committee is led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, with co-chairs including presidential son William Vincent Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
