Asian Championship quarterfinals set with exciting duels

The pool play phase of the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Asian Championship was concluded on Wednesday in Tianjin, China, determining the quarterfinal matchups for the tournament that will award a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the three berths at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup for national teams on the continent.

Korea, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam claimed the last four spots in the elimination rounds and join hosts China, Japan, Thailand and Iran, which had already qualified, in the final portion of the race for the Asian title.

• Watch the AVC Women's Volleyball Asian Championship on VBTV

The quarterfinals will begin on Thursday and will have Thailand, who were first in Pool B, facing Korea, who finished second in Pool C, at 14:00 local time (6:00 UTC), and Japan, who topped Pool C, playing Chinese Taipei, third in Pool A, at 18:30 (10:30 UTC).

On Friday, Indonesia, who advanced as the second-best team in Pool B, play Iran, who took the same spot in Pool A, at 15:00 (7:00 UTC), and China, who won Pool A, meet Vietnam, third in Pool C, at 19:30 (11:30 UTC). The semifinals happen on Saturday and the medal matches are scheduled for Sunday.

AVC Women's Volleyball Asian Championship: schedule and results

Korea advance after comeback win

One of the most traditional national teams on the continent, Korea had to sweat to confirm their qualification on Friday, as they started behind in their last Pool C match against Hong Kong, but came back and won 3-1 (20-25, 25-15, 25-11, 25-18).

Outside hitter Seoyoung Yuk had a big role in the Korean victory, scoring 22 points (18 kills, three blocks, one ace), while middle blocker Dahyeon Lee added 14 (seven kills, four blocks, three aces). Hong Kong had outside hitter Sum Yuen Tang as their most productive player with 12 points (nine kills, two blocks, one ace).

"It's great that we continue on the path to finish in the top three and qualify for the World Cup," Dahyeon said. "But today we couldn't play our best game and we need to use it as a really good practice and look forward."

Indonesia also needed a win to advance in Pool B, and they got one, sweeping Australia 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-21) to earn a spot among the top eight teams in the tournament.

Opposite Arsela Nuari and outside hitter Ersandrina Devega scored 14 points each for the Indonesians, while middle blocker Chelsa Berliana added another 13. Outside hitter Sylvia Musel led Australia with eight points.

Already qualified, China confirmed the top spot in Pool A with a strong 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-7) win over Chinese Taipei in their third match in Tianjin.

Outside hitters Wu Mengjie and Yushan Zhuang delivered 13 points in the Chinese victory, three more than team captain and opposite Gong Xiangyu. Middle blocker Wen Yi-Chin was the most productive for Chinese Taipei, registering seven points.

Quick links:
AVC Women's Volleyball Asian Championship
VBTV
Volleyball World Facebook
Volleyball World X
Volleyball World Instagram
Volleyball World YouTube
Subscribe to Volleyball World's Newsletter