Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2015 - World champions Poland defeated hosts Iran in the second of their two FIVB Volleyball World League Pool B encounters in Tehran this weekend 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19).
After losing against Iran in five sets on Friday, Stephane Antiga's men reacted well to narrow the gap with Pool B leaders and reigning World League champions USA. Iran went into the first determined to take an early lead, cheered on by their fans. Poland handled the pressure well, however, to stay in contention at 5-5 and 10-10 and 13-all. Neither team were willing to give way, but Saied Marouf and Farhad Ghaemi came on in the final minutes to settle matters at 25-23 in favour of the hosts.
Poland were not about to abdicate, however, and immediately took a short lead in set two, ahead by two points at 4-6, then 8-10. Antiga's men continued to play well as Poland led by three points at the first technical timeout. Iran were unable to get back into the set, which the visitors claimed 25-20.
Iran were back in the lead at the beginning of the third set, but their advantage was short-lived. Their coach Slobodan Kovac requested a timeout at 11-14, but tactical readjustments failed to halt Poland's forward momentum, which they carried over from the end of set three into the beginning of set four.
The final set confirmed the match was to go Poland's way, with Antiga's men ending proceedings at 25-19. Jakub Jarosz was the top scorer for Poland with 22 points, while Shahram Mahmoudi scored 12 for Iran.
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