TEHRAN – Ukraine overpowered Iran in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-17) in the Volleyball Olympic Qualifying Tournament Pool A in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil early Monday.

Ukraine’s Tymofii Poluian earned 15 points, while Mohammad Valizadeh scored nine points for Iran.

Iran, who lost to Germany 3-1 in their opening match, will play Qatar on Tuesday.

Team Melli, who have recently won the gold medal in the 2022 Asian Games, will be in round-robin competition with Brazil, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Qatar and Ukraine.

The 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men's Olympic Qualification Tournaments, alternatively the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup (for the tournament held in Japan) and also known as FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier, are the three volleyball tournaments to be contested by 24 men's national teams of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), where the top teams will earn a place in the 2024 Summer Olympics.