The national Iranian men’s volleyball team has defeated Australia in its second fixture at the 2018 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Volleyball Men's Nations League.
On Saturday, the Iranian squad faced the Australian side, nicknamed the Volleyroos, in a fixture played at the Kindarena in the northern French city of Rouen, and thumped it 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21).
Iran, which had sustained a 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-20 and 25-17) defeat at the hands of the hosts in its opening match the previous day, started the first set strongly as middle blocker Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi led the team 9-5.
The Australian volleyball players then clawed back into the game as Lincoln Alexander Williams managed to slam a powerful spike.
The Iranians maintained pressure and could leapfrog at end of the first set to close the business at 25-23.
The Aussies started the second set strongly but Iran, thanks to its efficient block led by Ali Shafiei, managed to keep composure and drew level 6-6.
Both teams fought tooth and nails as Iran’s Mousavi Eraghi leveled at 14-14.
Two spikes from Williams then sent Australia in front. Iran, however, came from behind and Shafiei stole the set with a powerful spike to conclude the deal at 25-23.
It was more of the same in the third as Iran proved highly efficient, and took the final set 25-21 at last.
Williams scored 18 points for the Volleyroos, while Iran’s Shafiei yielded 17 points, including 3 blocks and 2 aces.
The national Iranian men’s volleyball team is scheduled to take on Japan on Sunday.