Iran volleyball team struggles past Japan in FIVB World Cup
Iran men's national volleyball team has eked out a hard-fought win in the second round of the 2015 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) World Cup in Japan, overcoming the host team.
On Friday, the Iranian squad defeated Japan 3-2 (22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21 and 15-12) in an epic encounter staged at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium in the Japanese city of Osaka.
Iranian volleyball players got off to a fine start, and took an early lead over the hosts. The Samurais then availed themselves of the Persians’ individual mistakes to notch up points, and entered the first technical timeout 8-7 in the opening set.
The Japanese sportsmen kept their composure as they returned to action. They maintained the lead with emphatic spikes and good defense, and were up 16 points to 14 at the second technical timeout.
The Japanese side did not relinquish and eventually took the first set 25-22.
The national Japanese volleyball squad started the second set stalwartly, and took an early lead with three consecutive points. The Iranians then sprang into action and cut the deficit to lead 8-6 at the first technical timeout.
The Iranians then put right their mistakes to surge ahead, and went into the second technical timeout 16-14. Japan took control later on, and claimed the second set 25-23.
Iran bounced back as the match extended into the third set and was ahead 8-5 at the first technical timeout. The Iranians then widened the gap, and recorded a 16-11 lead at the second technical time out. Iranian volleyball players ultimately closed the set at 25-18.
The hosts battled to win the fourth set and call it a day, but were repulsed by the Iranians each time. Iran at last took the set 25-21.
Iranian volleyball players continued their great performance in the fifth set, and clinched the match 15-12.
Iran men's national volleyball team will face Australia in its opener at the third round of the FIVB World Cup in Tokyo on September 21.
The 2015 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup started in Japan on September 8, and will finish on September 23.
The tournament is a qualification process for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The top two teams will qualify for the Olympics and join Brazil, which has already secured a berth as the host country.
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