AVC Men’s U23 Championship/ Reigning Champions Iran Edge Past Pakistan in Straight

Ardabil, Iran, May 1, 2017 – Iran led by attacker, Amin Esmaeilnejad who scored a match-high 17 points, pulled off a stunning straight-set 25-12, 29-27, 28-26 victory over Pakistan in Pool A at the SMM 2^nd Asian Men’s U23 Volleyball Championship at Rezazadeh 6000-Seat Hall where over 8000 fans were in full pack.

Before the match, some music performers sang in local language that is Turkish and many of foreign guests were impressed by such number of spectators on the opening day of the tournament. Then, everyone raised for the commemoration of the late Hossein Madani, the coach of Iran who was from Ardabil and have taken so many significant steps toward the development of volleyball in Iran.

Cichello, the new head coach of Iran’s U23 team had Rahman Taghizadeh, Saeid Javaheri Tavana, Amin Esmaeilnejad, Javad Karimi, Sahand Allahverdian, and Salim Cheperli as his starting players.

Iran takes the lead on the opening set 25-12 but Pakistan made it tie as he started strong in the second set up to 17-17. The match went tie in 24-24. Iran asked for technical time-out in 24-25 and just needed one more point to close the set but this was Pakistan who take the lead again 26-25. Iranian fans could not stop supporting and finally Iran finished the second set 29-27.

The General Secretary of IRIVF, and so many other high local officials watched the match on site. The breathtaking moments were repeated in the third set as well but Iran carrying the support of Iranian fans finished 28-26.

Amin Esmaelnejad of Iran, the top scorer of the match said: “we practiced a lot longing for such wins to make people happy. The first match was tough but we could get over it”.

Iranian head coach Cichello expressed his gratitude from the passion and excitement of Iranian fans and found the level of tournament so high witnessing some matches before like the loss of Australia. All he intends to do is “trying to earn the result”.