TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s water polo team lost to Japan 18-11 in the 2022 Asian Games semifinal on Friday.

The 2018 Asian Games bronze medal winners will have to face the losers of Kazakhstan and China on Saturday in the third-place match.

Team Melli had defeated South Korea 15-4 and Thailand 26-7 and lost to China 15-7 in their previous matches in Group A.

Iran also beat Singapore 13-6 in the Games’ quarterfinals.

With more than 12,000 competitors from 45 nations and territories, the Asian Games has more participants than the Olympics.

Iran has sent 289 male and female athletes to the Games in 34 sports events.