Yazd, Iran, September 15, 2024 – Foolad Sirjan Iranian secured their second Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship title after a commanding victory over hosts Shahdab Yazd Cultural and Athletic Club, defeating their fellow Iranian club 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-23) in an electric final on Sunday.
The win at the packed stadium in Yazd cemented Foolad Sirjan’s dominance in the tournament, having entered the final unbeaten, just like their opponents.
The much-anticipated showdown between the two Iranian clubs was a rematch of the Iranian Super League final, where Foolad Sirjan also triumphed over Shahdab Yazd. The same result repeated on the continental stage, leaving Shahdab Yazd to finish as the runners-up. Despite the heartbreak of losing at home, Shahdab Yazd also secured a coveted spot at the upcoming FIVB Men’s Club World Championship in India, alongside Foolad Sirjan Iranian.
The final match lived up to expectations, with both teams boasting five victories leading up to the clash. Foolad Sirjan’s combination of physical power and tactical precision ultimately proved too much for Shahdab Yazd, as the defending Super League champions kept their composure throughout the game, much to the dismay of the local fans, who had hoped their home team could claim the title.
Nevertheless, the local support was unwavering as Shahdab Yazd displayed moments of brilliance, particularly in the third set, but they were unable to overcome the well-rounded performance of Foolad Sirjan Iranian.
This victory marked Foolad Sirjan Iranian’s second triumph at the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship, their first being in 2021 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, where they defeated Al-Arabi Sports Club of Qatar 3-1 in the final.
Bronze Medal Match: Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi Outclass Pavlodar Volleyball Club
Earlier in the day, Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi of Indonesia, silver medallists at the previous edition in Manama, Bahrain last year, delivered an impressive performance to claim the bronze medal, beating Pavlodar Volleyball Club of Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-19).
The Indonesian club, spearheaded by French Olympians Earvin Ngapeth and Jean Patry, displayed their class and resilience on the court, dominating the match from start to finish. The team’s determination to secure a podium finish was evident as they consistently outplayed their Kazakh opponents, who struggled to match the pace and skill of the Indonesian side.
Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi’s journey to third place included two key wins over Pavlodar, as well as victories against Kuwait Sporting Club and Al-Rayyan Sports Club, with their only losses coming against the two Iranian powerhouses. Their third-place finish was a strong achievement, particularly given the high caliber of teams in the tournament.
Head coach Reidel Alfonso Gonzales expressed his pride in the team’s performance, saying, “We came here to win the championship, but securing third place is still a great accomplishment. Competing against the Iranian teams was challenging, and we are proud of how we played.”
Star player Earvin Ngapeth, who had joined Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi just ten days before the competition, also shared his satisfaction with the tournament and his experience in Iran.
“The level of the competition was very high, and while we did not make it to the final, I am happy we finished third. It is always a pleasure to play in Iran. The atmosphere here is incredible, and the fans are amazing,” Ngapeth said, reflecting on his previous experience playing in Iran in 2022, where he helped Paykan win the Asian Men’s Club Championship in Tehran.
On the other side, Pavlodar Volleyball Club of Kazakhstan fought valiantly throughout the tournament, securing two victories against Kuwait Sporting Club and Kam Air, but they were ultimately outmatched by the more experienced teams.
Head coach Sergei Gribov acknowledged the challenges his team faced in their final matches against the Iranian and Indonesian clubs, saying, “We played at a high level, but we faced very strong teams in the last two games. Despite the losses, I am proud of the effort our players put in.”
Kazakhstan’s setter Roman Egorov also expressed disappointment at the bronze medal match, saying, “We struggled with our ball reception early in the sets, and that cost us the game. But congratulations to our opponents. They played very well.”
A Tournament of Excellence
The 2024 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship was a showcase of elite-level volleyball, featuring top clubs from across the continent. With eight participating teams, the tournament delivered high-quality matches and provided fans with unforgettable moments.
Both Foolad Sirjan Iranian and Shahdab Yazd emerged as the dominant forces, reflecting the strength of Iranian volleyball on the international stage.
Foolad Sirjan’s triumph was built on their balanced roster, featuring key contributions from Ali Hajipour, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Ali Ramezani, the Best Setter. Shahdab Yazd also had standout performers, with Masoud Gholami earning a spot as one of the Best Middle Blockers. The tournament’s Dream Team recognized the finest individual talents across all participating teams, highlighting the depth of skill on display.
FINAL RANKING
1. Foolad Sirjan Iranian (IRI)
2. Shahdab Yazd Cultural and Athletic Club (IRI)
3. Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi (INA)
4. Pavlodar Volleyball Club (KAZ)
5. Al-Rayyan Sports Club (QAT)
6. Gas Al Janoob (IRQ)
7. Kam Air (AFG)
8. Kuwait Sporting Club (KUW)
DREAM TEAM
Best Middle Blockers: Masoud Gholami (Shahdab Yazd) and Armin Ghelichniazi (Foolad Sirjan Iranian)
Best Outside Hitters: Amir Hossein Esfandiar (Foolad Sirjan Iranian) and Mikhail Ustinov (Pavlodar Volleyball Club)
Best Opposite: Jean Patry (Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi)
Best Setter: Ali Ramezani (Foolad Sirjan Iranian)
Best Libero: Mahdi Marandi (Foolad Sirjan Iranian)
MVP: Ali Hajipour (Foolad Sirjan Iranian)
Foolad Sirjan Iranian’s victory, along with Shahdab Yazd’s strong showing, reinforces Iran’s status as a powerhouse in Asian volleyball. Both teams will now turn their focus to the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship, where they will aim to represent Asia and continue their success on the global stage.
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