The Iranian handball team defeated China 36-18 in its third match in the Asian championship underway in Bahrain.

Iran started the campaign with a 21-26 loss to Saudi Arabia but beat Lebanon 31-26 in its second match.
The Persians will face Bahrain on Thursday in their third matches.

Group A consists of Japan, Oman, South Korea and Syria.

Host Bahrain is in Group B along with China, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-final, from which the winners will contest the gold medal match and the losers the bronze medal match, both on January 28.