September26September 26, 2026

NAGOYA, Japan – A heavy 8-game schedule ushers in the men’s volleyball competition on Saturday, Sept 27, with powerhouse Iran launching its four-peat bid against Kyrgyzstan at one two playing venues for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

The Iran-Kyrgyzstan match in Pool B will be held at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium at 10 a.m., with the Iranians out to fire a warning shot against the opposition that they will defend their crown at all costs.

Out to spearhead Iran’s campaign are Amin Esmaeilnejad, Pouria Hossein Khanzadeh, Hossein Hajikalateh, Arshia Behnejad – all determined to make up for the country’s defeat against host nation, Japan, at the AVC Continental Cup early this month, in the five-day tournament, which drew 16 countries from across the region.

Like Iran, Japan is also aiming for a flying start as it tries complete a remarkable double this year when it battles Uzbekistan in Pool A at 7 p.m., also in Okazaki.

Leading Japan’s campaign are AVC Cup standouts like proud MVP winner Ran Takahashi, Yuki Ishikawa, Taishi Onodera and setter Hideomi Fukatsu.

Japan is also bidding to win its 9^th gold medal in the quadrennial spectacle.

Counties fancied to figure prominently at the Park Arena Komaki are three-time champion China and South Korea, which interestingly, were drawn in Pool D along with the Philippines (Alas Pilipinas) and Chinese-Taipei.

For their first assignment, China faces Chinese-Taipei at 7 p.m., while the Koreans and the Alas Men clash at 1 p.m.

Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam and India clash in Pool C match at 1 p.m. right after the Qatar-Hong Kong showdown at 10 a.m.

Also playing in Okazaki are Pakistan and Kazakhstan for Pool A match at 1 p.m.