Tokyo, Japan, September 22, 2015 – Canada claimed their fourth win with straight sets against Iran (25-23, 29-27, 26-24) in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Tuesday.
John Gordon Perrin led Canada with 13 points to emerge as the Most Impressive Player. Justin Duff picked up 12 points in crucial moments that defined the match.
Canada got off to a good start in the first set, preparing well in their counterattack against a team of hard-hitters. They passed the ball well to get Nicholas Hoag to score from the flank. They went into a 13-10 lead. The Iran team crafted quicker offence, using combination plays with Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi and Shahram Mahmoudi. For the higher balls, they used the benefits of a block touch over attacks that pierced through the defence. It was a matter of patiently playing point after point for Canada to maintain their lead and to reach setpoint, 24-20. Iran brought in a 3-point swing, but Canada’s Perrin closed off the first set, 25-23 with a quick smash from the wing.
Iran setter Mir Saeid Marouflakrani opened the second set with two aces and went on to design his plays around Mojtaba Mirzajanpour and Mahmoudi. Duff posted several points at the middle but consistency was an issue for his team. Errors found the Canadian side chasing for the setpoint while Iran kept their chances alive. Captain Frederic Winters slammed a winner from the wing to end the second set to Canada's favour, 29-27. Iran looked sluggish with their ways in the third set.
Iran lagged in reception and fell 16-12 at the second technical timeout. Canada suffered from their own share of errors and dealt with a 23-all score. Mahmoudi struck from the wing to extend the set but a block on Mousavi’s attack squashed all hope for Iran, 24-26.