KOMAKI, Aichi Pref. (Kyodo) Japan defeated Iran in four sets on Saturday in an Asian qualifier for next year's FIVB Men's Volleyball Championship in Italy.
Kunihiro Shimizu scored a match-high 20 points as Japan won its second straight to move a step closer to securing one of the final two remaining Asian berths, beating the Iranians 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17 at Komaki municipal sports gymnasium. Iran slipped to 1-1.
In the day's other Pool H match, South Korea improved to 1-1, prevailing over winless Kazakhstan 23-25, 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-5.