Seyed Mousavi unveiled 8 stuff blocks for Iran and he's the best in the department so far
Krakow, Poland, September 7, 2014 - Another outstanding blocking display from tournament-leader Seyed Mousavi highlighted Iran’s smooth win over Puerto Rico by 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-14). The NORCECA team finished their run in Poland after the defeat, while Iran ended up second in Pool D.
Key points
• It was the first ever match between them at a major competition.
• The last straight sets win for Iran at a World Championship was in 1970 over Venezuela.
• Also in 1970, Iran finished the tournament with a total of four wins - the same number they have already reached in Poland.
• Puerto Rico said goodbye with a 1-4 campaign and their best mark are three victories, recorded in Japan 2006.
Mousavi matched his personal best in the competition with 8 blocks in a total of 12 points, while teammate Shahram Mahmoudi ranked higher than all scorers with 13 tallies. Puerto Rican bomber Maurice Torres completed 10 kills.
Iran easily set the pace of the first set, combining the good outputs from Mousavi and Mahmoudi with a high error rate in Puerto Rico. Star blocker Mousavi scored en route to an 11-5 on the board and it was all downhill for the Iranian from then. Puerto Rico gave away 11 points and Iran grabbed the set after a spike from Armin Tashakori, by 25-17.
Puerto Rico kept things closer in the second set, but blocks from Mirzajanpour and Mousavi built a 12-9 margin for Iran. The Asian team worked hard to stay ahead, as Puerto Rican spirit appeared with Torres leading and a healthy entrance with Ezequiel Cruz. Nevertheless, Iran advanced to 21-17 with Mahmoudi and Mousavi together again. Tashakori finished it off by 25-22.
The point earned by Iran had already destroyed the Puerto Rican hopes, but the Asian kept rolling anyway and jumped to an 8-5 advantage. Mahmoudi also scored from the block and stressed the lead (14-7), Mousavi enhanced his personal numbers the same way and Iran cruised to the final point. A long Puerto Rican serve established the definitive 25-14.