Iran, who had conceded defeats against Brazil (0-3) and the US (1-3) in their first two World League encounters, was able to earn two points by subduing Argentina 3-2 in a tough and erroneous match.
Raul Lozano’s boys prevailed against Argentina in a five-set match (25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 13-25 and 15-11) on Saturday.
Although the Persian side was expected to win three sets in a row, it was Argentina who took control of the game in the last part of the third set and ended it at 25 points to 21.
Iranian players offered a better performance in the final set of the match and it was a service error by Argentina which gave Iran the set 15-11 and the match 3-2.
Iran's Mohammadjavad Manavinezhad was voted the match’s brightest star for scoring 18 points.
Raul Lozano, Iran’s coach, said after the victory “it is always hard for me when I have to face Argentina. Julio Velasco is a great friend. I would rather to not be in that situation, but that is sport. We had a great game with a good performance on the side-out. We almost did not commit any mistakes in the tiebreak. But there is still room for improvements.”
National players will depart Brazil for Serbia to compete the second week of the 2016 FIVB World League.
In their second week encounters, Iran will meet Bulgaria on Thursday before facing Brazilian and Serbian rivals.
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