News / Sports

Iran volleyball team falls to Japan at 2018 FIVB Nations League

Monday, 28 May 2018 7:43 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 28 May 2018 7:57 AM ]

The photo shows a view of the match between Iran (players in blue) and Japan at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League in Rouen, France, on May 27, 2018.

The national Iranian men’s volleyball team has not managed to overcome Japan in its last showdown at the first week of the 2018 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Volleyball Men's Nations League.

The Iranian outfit, which had thrashed Australia’s Volleyroos 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21) on Saturday, sustained a 1-3 (22-25, 28-30, 25-23 and 23-25) loss from the Ryujin Nippon at the end of a match played at the Kindarena in the northern French city of Rouen on Sunday evening.

Iran served first but it was Japan, which claimed the first points, racing to an early 6-1 lead.

The Ryujin Nippon, however, lost momentum afterwards and allowed Iranian volleyball players to claw back into the game with four straight unforced errors to make it 12-10.

Iran then proved it is a tough opponent to get past, pouncing on every single mistake as Ali Shafiei finally leveled the scoring at 16-16.

Japan reclaimed the lead within the last minute, and Haku Ri’s spike closed the deal at 25-22.

Japan started strong in the second set, and its Masahiro Yanagida-Haku Ri duo put their side 9-6 in front.

The photo shows a view of the match between Iran (players in blue) and Japan at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League in Rouen, France, on May 27, 2018.

After that, the Japanese block sprang into action to prevent Iran from changing the course of the match as the latter narrowed the deficit to 14-15.

Japan, nevertheless, was fairly determined to take the second period as Yanagida claimed a couple aces.

Even though, Iranian was fighting tooth and nails to to stamp supremacy, the Ryujin Nippon leapfrogged 30-28 at last.

It was more of the same in the third set, and Japan gained an early control. Iran then came from behind to draw 5-5.

A great kill block performance from Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi put Igor Kolakovic's men 18-16 in front of Japan. Iran finally finished the third set at 25-23.

Iran kept up momentum and raced in front as the fourth and final set started. Despite a strong performance from the Iranian block, Japan could withstand the pressure and notched points to seal a 25-23 win.

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