China defeated Iran 3-0 in Hanoi on Wednesday in the first match of the elite 1st-8th ranking round of the Asian women's volleyball championship.

In the first set, China quickly led the match in the first few minutes. Iran had to change players five times in an effort to improve their scores. However, this could not prevent China from winning the first set with 25-11.

In the second set, Iran showed their efforts to counter-attack China by taking two points first in the very early minutes. The team played better and followed Chinese players closely in scoring in the following minutes. The two teams ended the second set with 25-18 in favor of China.

In the third set, China decided the match with a straight victory against Iran. It easily won Iran 25-11.

China will meet hosts Vietnam on Thursday in its second match in the elite 1st-8th ranking round of the championship.

The championship, from September 5 to 13, drew participation of 14 countries and regions. The 1st-8th ranking round will see the contests among eight teams including China, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2009)