TEHRAN – Iran lost to Japan in straight sets (25-17, 25-19, 25-17) in the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship on Monday.

Iran had started the competition on high note, beating the Philippines 3-0 on Sunday in Pool B.

Teams split into four pools A, B, C and D of three teams apiece, except Pool D with four teams. Hosts Thailand, Uzbekistan and Macao China are in Pool A, while Pool B consists of defending champion Japan, Iran and the Philippines. Pool C features China, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, while Korea, Chinese Taipei, India and Australia are in Pool D.

The flagship biennial championship, which got underway on Sunday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium and Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Ratchaburi Province, serves as the Asian qualification for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship, attracted 13 teams to vie for top honor.

Top four teams in the June 16-23 championship will qualify for the topflight world meet.