TEHRAN – Reigning champion China claimed the title of the 6th Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women for fifth time on Sunday.

China beat Japan in straight sets (25-23, 25-20, 25-17) in the final match at the Korat Chatchai Hall, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Earlier in the day, Thailand finished in third place after defeating Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-20).

Chinese spiker Liu Yanhan was named as the competition’s Most Valuable Player.

Iran finished in eighth place after losing to Australia 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-18).

Team Melli had defeated Australia two times in the tournament.

In the previous edition in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam two years ago, Iran had finished in sixth place overall.

“This is the third time we met Iran in this tournament. I think one thing that is consistent for us for the whole tournament has been our serving and blocking. The game is our best game and I’m happy with the result,” Australia head coach Shannon Winzer commented after the match.

“This is the last competition this year. We will return to the club professionally and will come back together next year hopefully for VNL continental qualifiers and Asian Senior Championship,” she added.

The 2018 AVC Cup for Women was the sixth edition of the Asian Women's Volleyball Cup, a biennial international volleyball tournament organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) with Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA).

The tournament was held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from 16 to 23 September 2018.