TEHRAN, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran will be playing in Pool D of the 2017 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship slated on August 9 to 17 in Manila, the Philippines, local media reported on Tuesday.

The Iranian team has been drawn along with Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Maldives, while Pool A consists of the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, China.

Defending champions and Rio Olympics gold medalists China are in Pool B with 2012 London Olympics bronze medalists Japan and Australia. The second seed South Korea, fifth seed Vietnam, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are in Pool C.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.