Press release

Almirante Brown, Argentina, August 24, 2011 - In Pool H opener, Iran defeated United States in four sets (25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 25-18) and stepped firmly in his first match in Almirante Brown venue. The Iranians are the only team in the struggle for places 9-16 with 3 wins achieved, while USA holds now a 1-3 mark in the whole tournament.

Iran's captain Pourya Fayazi simply stole the show, topping his team in all the areas with 17 spikes, 5 blocks and 3 aces for a total score of 25 points. Benjamin Patch (18 points) tried to hold back the opponent in the US side, but Iran downed the Americans in both blocking (14-8) and serving (8-3).

The match started leveled, but Iran catched a minimum lead at the first technical time out by 8-7. Fayazi already performed superbly and carried his side to a 16-10 margin. Aaron Russell helped the US to shorten the difference but they could not react completely. The set finished 25-21.

Non-forced errores in the American team gave a new lead to Iran, in 8-6. Later on, the blocks of Shahab Ahmadi (5 in the game) and the spikes of Javad Hosseinabadi extended the advantage to 16-13, but USA was saving the best for the very end. Patch and Scott Rhein became unstoppable and the score turned upside down. USA notched the set in 25-22.

Milad Ebadipour entered the court for Iran and with three points built an 8-6 lead. Even though Gregory Petty did a great play for his team, USA could not reach the Asians and the second TTO arrived in 16-10. Iran took advantage of the errors on the other side of the net and easily won the set 25-16.

Ebadipour scorted Fayazi to smash USA's hopes in the fourth set, even with some points given away by mistakes (8-6). The American relied once more in Patch, but nevertheless Iran reached the second stop leading 16-14. The end came quickly, in 25-18.