Pakistan give title favourites Iran a scare

Title favourites Iran warded off a fightback by Pakistan to maintain their unbeaten run with a 3-0 win in the 12^th Rashid International Volleyball Tournament at Al Shabab Club Hall in Dubai on Tuesday night.

The Iranians had to pull out all stops to beat a fighting Pakistan who are winless in the six-team competition organized by the UAE Volleyball Association under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.

After surrendering the first set tamely, Pakistan showed their tenacity to stay in contention by leading for a major part of the second before being literally pipped at the net Iran in a thrilling set 28-26.

The final series of matches will take place from 4pm today to determine the championship with Iran taking on Lebanon in the first match while India are likely to battle for second spot with Tunisia.

Iran won the first set comfortably 25-20 after getting off to a good start to lead 8-5 and 16-11.

Pakistan were undone by the deceptive spiking of Rahman Davoodi while rallying through their star spiker Ahmed Naseer to close the gap to 24-19. But Iran kept their composure to edge them out.

Pakistan staged a superb fightback but Iran showed their resilience to win this nail-biting set after saving three set points.

It was Pakistan who upstaged their rivals to lead for most of the set being ahead 8-4 and 16-12. Skipper Khan Muhammad Ismail won some crucial points with his spiking including one after a long rally.

Pakistan were not only good in attack but blocked well with Syed Shujah Abbas and Khan Aimal jumping well to frustrate their rivals.

Khan Munir was outstanding in receiving and setting up the ball while substitute Aimal stood out with his spiking forcing Iran’s coach Akbari Payman to ring in the changes.

It proved effective but it was starter Ahmad Babaei who made an impact with his blocks, one of which helped them draw level at 22 for the first time in the set. He was adjudged Best Player of the match.

Thereafter the set could have gone either way but Iran held their nerve to seal victory after being denied at 26-25 before taking a 2-0 lead after battling back from the jaws of defeat.

Iran got their act together in the third set to win the match 25-19. They held the edge 8-5 and 16-13 at the short break with Hamed Rezaei starting for the first time to bring them the big points.

Pakistan closed the gap to 21-18 but Iran was always in control to prevail over their gritty rivals.

Iran’s coach said the team dropped their guard in the second set and lacked focus. “I had warned them about the dangers of taking it easy. They did not concentrate. Pakistan played well but our players did not,” Payman told Emirates 24|7 when asked whether he was worried during the second set.

“There are no easy games. They need to focus. In the second set, they really played only for the last 10 points,” he said.

Hosts UAE went down fighting to India in the opening match after Monday’s rest day managing to pull back the second set 25-22.

But they failed to consolidate as India bounced back to close them out 25-19 in the third after having breezed past them in the opener 25-13.

India sealed victory with a comfortable 25-13 win in the fourth set to keep alive their hopes of battling for top honours.

UAE’s Abdullah Ali Saif who scored some big points in their second set victory with his effective spikes was rewarded with the Best Player award.

Naveen Raja Jacob was outstanding in attack for India whose reception was poor while their blocking was not up to the mark.

“UAE put our players under pressure after winning the second set,” said India’s coach G. Sridharan. “We still have a problem with our receiving and our defence was not good.”

However, UAE failed to drive home the advantage after levelling the match. The Indians clawed back to prevail over the under prepared UAE team.

Tunisia eased past Lebanon 25-19 25-22 25-18 leading all the way to prove their superiority.

The only consolation for Lebanon was the outstanding performance of spiker Jan Abeshadeed who became the second player from a losing team to win the Best Player award.

4pm Lebanon v Iran

6pm Pakistan v UAE

8pm India v Tunisia