Okazaki, October 2,2026: Defending champions Iran defeated Pakistan 3-0 in the semi-final of the Asian Games 2026 men’s volleyball competition at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium on Friday.
Pakistan, who had advanced to the last four after a convincing 3-0 victory over traditional rivals India in the quarter-final, struggled against the three-time defending champions.
Iran dominated the opening set, winning 25-13 in 19 minutes.
Pakistan showed greater resistance in the second set, but Iran maintained control to secure a 25-15 victory after 20 minutes and moved within one set of the final.
The third set lasted 21 minutes, but Iran again proved too strong, winning 25-11 to complete a comprehensive victory and end Pakistan’s hopes of winning the gold medal.
Iran, champions in the previous three editions of the Asian Games men’s volleyball competition, will face hosts Japan in the gold-medal match at the same venue on Saturday.
Pakistan will take on China in the bronze-medal playoff earlier on Saturday.
Pakistan had made an impressive start to their campaign, defeating Kazakhstan 3-1 in their opening match before beating Uzbekistan 3-0 to secure a place in the knockout stage with a match to spare.
The Green Shirts then lost 3-0 to hosts Japan in their final pool match before bouncing back with a 3-0 victory over India in the quarter-final.
