Iran's Paykan crowned Asian volleyball champions after beating Japan's Suntory
Iran’s premier volleyball club Paykan came from two sets down to beat Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds 3-2 in a five-set thriller on Friday to clinch the 2022 Asian Men’s Club Championship.
In a high-octane final played at Tehran’s Azadi Sports Complex, the Tehran-based volleyball club crushed the Japanese team 21-25, 26-28, 25-13, 25-20, 15-12 to become the Asian champions.
The home team, continuing its unbeaten run in the tournament, stamped its authority with an epic comeback in a pulsating summit clash in front of a cheering crowd.
After going down two sets, Paykan bounced back in the third set through spectacular blocking from Nimir Abdelaziz and Hamzeh Zarini followed by some powerful strikes by Armin Tashakori and Seyed Mohammad Mousavi.
Abdelaziz was the star of the night with 29 points, including 24 attacks from 45 attempts and 3 aces for his team, while Earvin Ngapeth pitched in with 14 points.
It is the eighth time Paykan has emerged as the championship winner, the most for any Asian club. For Suntory Sunbirds, it was the first time in 20 years they had reached the championship final.
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