TEHRAN – Iran defeated Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-18) at their opening match in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Wednesday.

Team Melli will play hosts Bulgaria in Pool D on Thursday.

“It was a great beginning of the championship for us. We respected a lot our opponents Puerto Rico. We did a really good job and I am very happy about the result as well as about the support we got from Iranian fans who came here especially for the tournament. I hope it will be the same in the upcoming matches,” Iran coach Igor Kolakovic said.

The 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship will be held in Bulgaria and Italy from Sept. 9 to 30.