Archive · 6 Sep 2026
India Fall to China in Asian Volleyball Championship Opener
India played China in their first match of the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship.
China won all three sets, so the final score was 3-0.
The sets were close, especially the second and third ones.
India fought hard and pushed both of those sets beyond the usual winning score.
China made more successful attacks and blocks than India.
China received three points for winning the match.
India will play Iran next, while China will meet New Zealand.
The tournament winner will earn Asia's men's volleyball place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India lost 3-0 to three-time champions China in their Pool B opener in Kitakyushu, Japan.
China won the sets 25-21, 28-26 and 27-25 in a closely contested match.
China recorded 45 attack points and nine blocks, compared with India's 39 attack points and six blocks.
China earned three points and sit second in Pool B behind Iran on points ratio after one match each.
India next face Iran, while China play New Zealand on Monday; the tournament runs through September 13.
- Who
- India and China men's volleyball teams; China are three-time tournament winners.
- What
- China defeated India in straight sets, 25-21, 28-26 and 27-25, in Pool B.
- When
- Saturday; India and China are scheduled to play their next pool matches on Monday.
- Where
- Kitakyushu, Japan.
- Why
- China won the match to earn three Pool B points, while the tournament offers qualification opportunities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup.
India's Challenge
China's Victory
Match performance
India's Challenge
India lost in straight sets but mounted stronger resistance in the second and third sets, both of which were decided narrowly.
China's Victory
China won all three sets and held its nerve in the tight finishes to secure the match.
Areas for improvement
India's Challenge
India produced fewer attack points and blocks than China, with 39 attacks and six blocks.
China's Victory
China head coach Vital Heynen said the team achieved its pre-match objective but needed to sustain its strong performance through the ends of the second and third sets.
- Match result
- China defeated India 3-0.
- Set scores
- 25-21, 28-26, 27-25.
- Pool
- Pool B of the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship.
- Attack points
- China 45; India 39.
- Blocks
- China 9; India 6.
- Next matches
- India face Iran; China face New Zealand on Monday.
- Qualification stakes
- The champion qualifies for Asia's first men's volleyball berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; the three medalists qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup.