Iran beats Qatar to book Asian senior championships final berth

The Iranian men’s national beach volleyball A team has proudly marched into the final showdown of the 2017 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships in Thailand after overcoming the Qatari side in a tough semifinal fixture.

On Sunday evening, the Iranian pair of Bahman Salemi and Rahman Raoufi notched up a 2-1 victory at Samila Beach in Thailand’s southern city of Songkhla, amid fightback from Qatari top seeds Julio Donascimento and Ahmed Tijan Janko to find a way in the title game.

The Qataris got off to a strong start, and could open the scoring early into the match. They mounted a string of attacks and could take the first set 29-27.

The Iranians, however, were resolute not to let the opposite team fulfill its dream of featuring in the final. They won the second and final sets 22-20 and 15-9.

The Iranian men’s national beach volleyball A team will play the final against Indonesians Ade Candra Rachmawan and Mohammad Ashfiya, who stunned Australian top seeds Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann in straight sets to advance to the men’s final.

“Iran are very strong, but I believe in my team. They have been playing very well in this tournament. They have determination to win. I will give some strategies for them to play Iran in the final tomorrow,” Indonesian coach said.

McHugh and Schumann will take on Nascimento and Tijan Janko in the third-place playoff.

The 2017 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships kicked off in Thailand on April 14, and will finish on April 17, 2017.

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