IRAN kept the round-of-16 door open for Alas Pilipinas by beating Tunisia, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16, in Pool A of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Tuesday.
Both Iran and Tunisia are now tied at 1-1 (win-loss), denying Tunisia’s early bid for an outright ticket to the knockout stage.
Chance for Alas Men
The Asian giants had Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and captain Morteza Sharifi man the frontlines with 39 combined points in the four-set contest.
A Philippine win over reigning African champion Egypt later Tuesday will forge a quadruple-tie entering the final day of group stage action.
This means that the winners of the Philippines-Iran and Egypt-Tunisia matches on Friday will top Pool A and head straight to the next round.
But if Egypt cruises past Alas, the Nationals’ group stage finale against fellow Asian side Iran will be a do-or-die game where they must secure a superior points and set ratio to prevail in potential ties.
Iran head coach Roberto Piazza has his sights set on a convincing finish that could send the highest-ranked Asian side left in the FIVB Worlds at No. 14 to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive edition of the global conclave.
However, it would have to come at the expense of the Philippines on Friday if Piazza's wards do get the win.
Iran says 'sorry'
"Sorry. I can say sorry because I would like to play against another team and not against the Philippines because it’s the host of the World Championship," Piazza said.
"It’s not enough what we did until now because we have three points, four sets in our side and four sets in the opponent’s side [Iran], so zero in the end until now, zero. One, but for me, it’s zero. We did nothing, so it’s exactly balanced.
It’s depending on us and also from the result of the other one [Philippines vs. Egypt] but first thing, we can do a step. That’s why I prefer to put the focus on my team and we have to be quiet but so determined."
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