Amin Esmaeilnezhad of Iran. Photo from Kimberly Pauig via PNVF
MANILA — Alas Pilipinas Men will definitely be challenged by Asia's best opposite spiker Amin Esmaeilnezhad and Team Iran in the FIVB Men's World Championship 2025.
Iran will be the host team's last task in Pool A of the 32-country tilt, set for September 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 28-year-old Esmaeilnezhad is one of the more experienced players on Team Melli, which boasts an average age of 23.8 years and an average height of 6-foot-5.
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Helping the star spiker pace the Iranian squad are former Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Best Setter Javad Karimi and Angiolino Frigoni's compatriot Roberto Piazza, who are, for their part, aiming for FIVB glory.
The 13th-ranked Iran is the second-highest placed Asian team in the FIVB Men's rankings, just behind Japan which is at No. 5.
They also took time to sharpen their skills in Europe ahead of the Worlds, same as the Philippine team.
Iran looks to improve from a ninth-place result in the last Volleyball Nations League last month, although a much better finish from a 15th-place result in VNL 2024.
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Pool A is joined by the Philippines, Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia.
The FIVB Worlds will also feature Brazilian volleyball superstar Leila Barros as guest of honor for the Finals from September 27 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena.