Iran’s Amir Ghafour
Mohammad Mousavi paced Iran with a match-high 17 points. Farhad Ghaemi chipped in with 15 points in the win.
Park Chul–Woo led Korea with seven points.
It was a clinical victory for Iran over a Korea side which played poorly. The Koreans were overmatched on this day by the power of the Iranian attack and defense.
Korea had major problems with reception and could not mount an effective attack.
Amir Ghafour‘s spike moved Iran out to a 5-2 lead in the first set. Alireza Nadi spiked to make it 7-4 for Iran. Han Sun-Soo sailed a spike long and Iran led 8-5 at the first TTO.
Mohammad Mousavi‘s spike put Iran up 10-6. Farhad Ghaemi’s two service aces took it to 15-7. Mousavi’s block gave Iran a 16-7 lead at the second TTO. Mousavi‘s spike took the tally to 20-8. Kim Hak-Min‘s spike saw Korea down by 10 at 22-12. With the score 23-15 in their favor, Iran called a timeout. Lee Kang-Joo sent a serve long and Iran took the set 25-17.
Ghafour‘s spike gave Iran a 5-2 lead in the second set. A quick dink by Choi Hong-Suk took it to 6-4. Korea fired a spike long and Iran was up 8-4 at the second TTO. Ghaemi pounded a spike and Iran was on top 10-6. A block by Mousavi made it 13-8 and Korea took a timeout. Nadi‘s spike off an option play made it 15-9 and led 16-10 at the second TTO on a spike by Ghafour. Shin Yung-Suk pulled Korea within four at 19-15 with a spike, but Ghaemi replied for 20-15. Hamzeh Zarini‘s block put Iran within two points of the set at 23-17. Nadi closed out the set 25-18 with a spike.
Park Chul-Woo served into the net and Iran jumped to a 5-2 lead in the third set. A nice spike by Choi Hong-Suk made it 7-4 for Iran. The Iranians were up 8-4 at the first TTO. A spike put Iran in front 10-6. A block by Mousavi made it 13-7 and Korea called a timeout. Iran was up 15-8 after another Mousavi spike and led 16-8 at the second TTO. Korea scored four straight points to close within 18-13 and Iran took a timeout. Korea sent a spike long and it was 20-14 as they moved for the match. A spike by Ghaemi gave Iran match point at 24-16 and they completed the win on a spike by Mousavi.
Iran will play China on Saturday, while Korea will meet Serbia.
