Iran defeats Egypt to meet Argentina in play off

Outside hitter Pourya Fayazi conducted Iran to a scintillating victory over Egypt in grueling fiver setter 3-2 (25-17, 22-25, 25-12, 24-26, 15-9) in Pool A of Men's U23 World Championship at Al Nasr Hall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Saturday. 

Iran's captain scored impressive 27 crucial points including 3 aces to bring the important points to in each set to settle the match aided by Mohamed Razi and Javad Husseinabadi who scored 15 points each. Egypt's opposite Ahmed Saad contributed 23 points for the losers followed by Eid Aboulsoud 14. 

Iran improved their competition record to 3-2 to finish their pool matches at the third position and meet Argentina in the play off 5 to 8 places. 

Egypt started the match using the spike services and put a pressure upon their opponent and succeeded to lead 8-7 in the 1st TTO through a quick attack from Mohsen Soliman. Iran started to control the game gradually through the tight defence to clearly widen the point deficit till they won the set 25-17. 

Iran continued as the better side at the beginning of the 2nd set as they used the sharp service of Heusseinabadi and Fayazi to disturb the Egyptian reception to reach 8-6. Egypt coach made some substitutions to regain the dominance through the spikes of Ahmed Saad and Ahmed Saleh till they won the set 25-22 and draw 1-1.

Iran widely led the 3rd set using the frequent unforced errors from the Egyptians to win the set comfortably 25-12. 

The 4th set was the most exciting as it went very near all through till Ahmed Diaa scored the decider at 26-24 to draw 2-2. 

Iran used the sharp spikes of Captain Fayazi to control the net action and widely lead 8-2 at the court turn. Egypt fought in defence to decrease the point difference, but Iran stayed ahead to win the set 15-9 and the match 3-2

Coaches were happy with the fighting spirit of the game, while Iran's captain stated that losing the motivation affected the team.

“It was a great match but I think we didn’t play well. Yesterday, when we lost it affected us mentally; we understood that we would not make it to the top four teams. That’s why it was hard to find motivation to play today. For now, we will focus on the coming match against Argentina and hope to win,” said Iran's capitain Pourya Fayazi.