TEHRAN, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran defeated Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-18) at their opening match in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Bulgaria on Wednesday, Tehran Times daily reported.

"It was a great beginning of the championship for us. We respected a lot our opponents Puerto Rico. We did a really good job and I am very happy about the result as well as about the support we got from the Iranian fans who came here especially for the tournament," Iran coach Igor Kolakovic said.

"I hope it will be the same in the upcoming matches," Kolakovic said.

Iran will play hosts Bulgaria in Pool D on Thursday.

The 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship is held in Bulgaria and Italy from Sept. 9 to 30.