Iran bested their Asian Confederation counterparts Australia in four sets to win their opening match in the second round
Bydgoszcz, Poland, September 10, 2014 – Iran prevailed over Asian Confederation counterparts Australia in a four-setter (25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17) to avail of their first win in the second round in Pool E at the Luczniczka Hall on Wednesday.
Key Points
• Iran have outplayed their Asian Confederation rivals in their first World Championship encounter.
• Iran had better blocking and serving than Australia – 11-8 on blocks and 6-3 on services aces.
• Amir Ghafour top scored for Iran with 22 points; Australia’s Thomas Edgar scored an equal output as Ghafour.
• Edgar had 21 attacks compared to Ghafour’s 17 but the latter was excellent at the service line with four aces.
Iran romped to an 8-5 lead over Australia in the first set, but the latter started a chase to cut down the lead at the second technical timeout 16-15. Iran regained its composure and brought their lead up to 22-18 that prompted Australia coach Jon Uriarte to call a timeout.
Australia had some more tricks in their bag that foiled the Iranian run to end the set and kept the score close at 24-23 in favour of Iran. In the end, the Australian defence could not hold on to the strong presence of Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi at the net, as the Iranian middle finished with a quick hit to finally close the set 25-23.
Iran were challenged early in the second set by the Australians that put the former ahead with a two-point lead 13-11. Uriarte called his team to the bench as they encountered some difficulty on their defence that allowed the Iranian frontliners to catch a couple points on the run to extend the score to 21-18. Only an exchange of points by both squads but Iran still managed to clinch the set 25-21.
Australia started with a renewed vigour in the third set and led 7-4. Iran called for a timeout that worked wonders for the Iranian side to close the gap at the second technical timeout 16-14. Australia played better in all departments especially in their serve and attack, while Iran struggled on their counter-attack. Aidan Zingel raised the lead 21-15 for Australia and another superb hit by Thomas Edgar sent the crowd cheering for Australian set ball 24-18.
Farhad Ghaemi’s sensational serves did not allow the Australians to secure the set and even narrowed the gap to 24-21 but a net touch by Iran handed the second set to Australia 25-21.
Iran set their course on track again in the fourth set for the 8-5 and 16-8 leads at the two technical timeouts. Australia could not make any shift in momentum and the match ended in Iran’s favour 25-17.