WL2017/ Tehran Crowd Inspired Iran for 3-0 Win over Argentina

Tehran, Iran, June 11, 2017 – Iran beat Argentina 3-2 (29-27, 25-20, 20-25, 23-25, 15-11) on Sunday, winning their second home victory at World League 2016 out of three in Tehran.

Iran won their only two World League encounters in five sets against Argentina. The full-packed stadium not only supported Iran team but also Velasco early in the official warm-up at the net.

The opening set started with the teams going point for point with Argentina winning the long rally to reach 8-6 in the 1^st TTO. Argentina increased the gap to 16-12. With two substitutions having Manavinezhad and Salafzoon in, Iran soon managed to decrease the margin 19-18. The error of Alexis Gonzalez made it tie 21-21 accompanying the excitement of home crowd. A very long challenge asked by Iranian team gave a long halt to the match as the referees were skeptic over a very critical point which later was accepted to make it even 23-23 for Iran. The rally went point by point with no team wanting to give an inch. It was a hilarious moment watching the crowd when Iran found himself in front 27-26. Nikolas Bruno shone in attack for Argentina while Manavinezhad did great in reception. He led his team to a 29-27 win in the set.

Iran started the second set in much brighter fashion and led 8-6 at the first technical time-out building a four-point lead 19-15 and calmly closed out the set at 25-20.

The astonishing services of Poglajen continued as Argentina led 16-13 allowed them to silence the fans leading 22-17. With the excellent pairing of Sebastian Sole and Santiago Darraidou, Argentina closed the set 25-20 for the South American side.

In the fourth set, Iran revived hope as they took the lead 8-5 at the first technical time out. Soon Argentina found its feet proving themselves in crucial moment with a comeback to level 10-10 before storming ahead 20-17 with consecutive successful attempts by Pablo Crer at the net. The home crowd raised the roof in expectancy as Argentina reached the set point 24-22 but Argentina sealed 25-23.

The fight continued in the tiebreak. Iran starred strongly taking a 7-3 lead and controlled their nerves better as they finished the set at 15-11.