Iran W vs Iraq W

There was no single turning point; the match was decided by the gulf in experience and physicality between the two programmes. Iran, ranked 41st in the FIVB world rankings after surpassing 100 ranking points for the first time last week, faced an Iraqi side re-established only in 2022 after more than two decades without a women's national team. The first five points of set one — all conceded by Iraq via reception errors — set the tone.

Elaheh Poursaleh — Iran's leading scorer in the tournament-opening 3–1 win over Chinese Taipei (25 points), Poursaleh was again the focal point in attack. Her jump serve generated multiple aces and kept Iraq out of system.

Iran's blocking unit — The middle-blocker combination registered a significant number of stuff blocks, holding Iraq to single-digit scores in all three sets. Iraq's hitters found no room on the pins.

Doreem Shamow (Iraq) — One of the few Iraqi players to register points from open play. The middle blocker had scored six kills against China and was again Iraq's most reliable attacking option, though support was scarce.

The set scores — 25-4, 25-7, 25-5 — tell a story of total control. Iraq managed just 16 points across the entire match, the same total they scored in their opening defeat to China. Iran's point differential in their three pool matches (+57 across three games) reflects a team that beats the sides it should beat. Iraq's point ratio of 0.266 across Pool A — the lowest in the tournament — illustrates the steep learning curve for a programme in its first Asian Championship.

With the pool-phase results now finalised in Pool A, Iran sit second behind China (3–0, maximum points) with a 2–1 record. Both Iran and Chinese Taipei (2–1) advance to the quarter-finals, with seeding determined by set ratio. For Iraq, the tournament ends winless but represents a baseline — their first competitive exposure at this level since the programme was revived.

The championship carries extra weight this year: the winner earns direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while the top three finishers book spots at the 2027 FIVB Women's World Championship.

A mismatch on paper and a mismatch on court. Iran did what a team with continental ambitions should do against a fledgling programme, executing efficiently and without drama. Iraq's presence in Tianjin is itself a step forward for women's volleyball in the country, but the gulf in class against Asia's established nations remains vast. Iran's real test comes in the knockout rounds.