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Hosts Japan and Iran both stayed perfect through the pool phase of the AVC Men's Volleyball Asian Championship in Fukuoka, Japan, while Chinese Taipei picked up their first tournament victory. Neither side dropped a set.

The event doubles as a qualifier for both the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Cup.

As Volleyball World reported, Japan closed out Pool A undefeated with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-21) shutout of Australia in front of roughly 6,500 fans at Kitakyushu City Gymnasium. Australia finished second at 2-1, and both nations advanced to the quarterfinals.

Japan Caps Pool A With Another Straight-Set Win

Outside hitter Yuji Nishida paced Japan against Australia with a match-high 16 points, connecting at an 82 percent success rate in attack and adding two aces.

Fellow outside hitter Ran Takahashi contributed 13 points, five of which came on aces, at a 70 percent attack clip. William D'Arcy-Miles led Australia with 13 points, with outside Lorenzo Pope adding 11.

Earlier in pool play, as WorldofVolley noted, Takahashi had posted 19 points and captain Yuki Ishikawa 12 in a 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-23) dismissal of Bahrain that improved Japan to 2-0 at the time. Japan never looked threatened.

Iran Sweeps India to Stay Perfect in Pool B

Iran went 3-0 in pool play by defeating India 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-18). Opposite Poriya Khanzadeh was the match's leading scorer with 20 points, while outside hitters Mohammad Valizadeh and Ali Hajipour contributed 11 each.

The second set was tightly contested before Iran pulled clear.

India's loss left them fourth in Pool B standings. Their route to the quarterfinals depended on results elsewhere, specifically whether they could outrank other third-place finishers across the pools.

India subsequently beat New Zealand 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-21) in their final pool match to stay in contention. Captain and opposite Jerome Vinith Charles scored a match-high 19 points, including two kill blocks.

Outside hitters Chirag Yadav and Amit Balwan Singh added 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Chinese Taipei Opens Account in Pool C

Chinese Taipei ended their drought in Pool C by sweeping Qatar 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 28-26). The win was overdue. Captain Chang Yu-Sheng delivered 20 points in a well-rounded effort that included six blocks, and outside hitter Wen Yi-Kai contributed 15 points.

The third set went to extra points before Chinese Taipei sealed it 28-26.

Quarterfinal Spots Taking Shape

With pool play winding down, Japan advanced as Pool A winners. The race for the two best third-place berths remained unsettled.

India's quarterfinal fate rested on a Pool A match between Oman and Bahrain, if Oman collected three points, they would edge India in the third-place standings. Any other result kept India's chances alive.