Iran produced a powerpacked display to crush title contenders India 3-0 in a key match of the 12th Rashid International Volleyball Tournament at Al Shabab Club Hall in Dubai on Sunday night.
India fielded their best team in the six-nation competition organised by the UAE Volleybal Association in a bid to prepare for next month’s Asian Games.
But the bronze medallists of the Asian Volleyball Championship found the Iranians too hot to handle especially the lethal services and deadly spiking of Rahman Davoodi who wreaked havoc to be adjudged player of the match.
The Iranians showed why they have a world ranking of 18, clawing their way back in the first two sets to win 25-22 26-24 before asserting their supremacy in the third to seal the match 25-20.
Their third win in the tournament, held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, makes them the only unbeaten side.
But Iran’s coach Akbari Payman said it was not a given they are assured of the title having to face Pakistan and Lebanon in the last two matches after Monday’s rest day. “It is dangerous to believe that we have already won the title. Pakistan played very well and are a tough team while Lebanon are a well organised unit,” he said recalling their surprise opening set loss to hosts UAE in their second match.
India’s coach G. Sridharan blamed their defeat on poor reception and blocking. “We led 16-10 and 19-17 in the first set and were level at 24 in the second. But we could not catch their powerful serves,” he said after suffering their fourth defeat in as many meetings this year.
They went down twice in five sets at the Asian Championships, lost 3-1 in a tournament in Calcutta before succumbing 3-0 in Dubai. “We did not give up hope. Our attack and service game was good but blocking and reception was poor,” he added.
G. Pradeep gave them the edge in the opening exchanges by spiking through the defence but Iran countered with powerful serves as Davoodi and Javad Mohammad Nejad sealed victory in the first set with effective service winners.
Iran’s substitutes Mojtaba Shaaban and Ahmad Babae also tormented India with their spikes and services targeting the weak link of India Guruchand Singh. In between, India’s artful setter Ukkrapandian managed to steal some points with his deft touches but Seyed Mehdi Bazargard secured them the set point after a tense struggle in the second set.
With India’s spirits sagging, Iran led 8-4 and surged ahead 20-14 to win the third set comfortably despite coach Sridharan ringing in the changes.
Earlier, Tunisia routed UAE 3-0 in the opening match of the third day while Pakistan figured in their second consecutive five-set match but ended up on the losing side again this time to Lebanon following their defeat on Saturday night 3-2 to Tunisia.
UAE put up a gallant performance against Tunisia in the first set before going down 26-24. That was the closest they came as Tunisia exposed the gulf in class between the two sides by winning the next two sets easily 25-13 25-13.
“UAE are beginners compared to Tunisia. Our players lack experience but they learnt to play under pressure,” said UAE’s assistant coach Ibraheem Almanaee.
Tunisia’s coach Mkaouer Fathi was gracious in victory and said he warned his charges not to take it easy. “I told them if UAE win the first set like against Iran, we will lose. So to make sure of winning 3-0,” he said.
“The UAE team is better than before,” he added.
But he needn’t have worried because UAE had only a short time to prepare whereas Tunisian players have just completed four and half months or nearly 450 hours of training. “They are professionals who train four to five hours a day,” he said.
Tunisia’s Hichem Kaabi was adjudged player of the match against UAE.
Pakistan displayed plenty of grit and stamina but Lady Luck did not smile in their favour during their 3-2 marathon against Lebanon. They won the first set 25-19 but Lebanon battled back to win the next two 25-22 25-21.
Pakistan drew level with a 25-20 win in the fourth but were edged out 16-14 in the decisive set after a valiant struggle.
Ahmed Naseer stood out like a beacon for Pakistan with his outstanding spikes which brought them the big points.
However, skipper Khan Muhammad Ismail rued their luck although admitting their middle blockers were weak.
“It was a very good game of volleyball,” said coach Sabbatini Augusto who was in charge of the Indians in 2006 Asian Games when they featured in the longest set against Lebanon.
Lebanon’s assistant coach Esam Abojaodah also felt it was a game worthy of a final. “There were minimal mistakes from both sides with long rallies. The level was high,” he said.
Pakistan were tactically outplayed by Lebanon who blunted their fast attacks with improved services. “Our reception also improved. That was the key,” said Abojaodah who had the luxury of starting with three new players Dherar Obaid, Ameen Alqees and player of the match Nadir Faris.
“Our target is the Arab Championship so we want to give all out potential players a chance to play pressure games,” he said on their decision to rest star player Alan Saadah.
“His replacement Nadir gave a good performance as did JanAbeshadeed,” he added also complimenting Pakistan’s Naseer.
Tuesday’s fixtures
4pm UAE v India
6pm Tunisia v Lebanon
8pm Iran v Pakistan
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