KOMAKI, Aichi Pref. (Kyodo) Japan defeated Kazakhstan in four sets on Friday in an Asian qualifier for next year's FIVB Men's World Volleyball Championship in Italy.
Tatsuya Fukuzawa had a match-high 19 points as the Japanese got off on the right foot in their bid to win one of the final two Asian berths up for grabs, prevailing 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-16 at Komaki Municipal Sports Gymnasium.
In the day's opening Pool H match, Iran overcame South Korea 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-17, 15-12.
The top two teams from the round-robin competition here qualify for the world championship. China and Australia have already taken the other two Asian berths after advancing from Group G in Chengdu, China, earlier this month.