Bulgaria remain unbeaten as Iran fall by the wayside
Torkashvand Mohammad (IRI) spikes against Alekseiv Todor (BUL)
Iran
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Bulgaria
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November 21, Nagano: Bulgaria consolidated their place at the top of Pool C as they brushed past Iran in straight sets.
The Europeans were given a useful workout by a feisty Iran side, but always looked in control as they ran out 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 winners.
The victory leaves Bulgaria one win short of completing a perfect first-round programme, but means Iran's already slim chances of reaching the second phase are now hanging by a thread.
Iranian captain Peyman Akbari had said before the match that the World Championships offered his side a rare opportunity to pit themselves against the best, and the unbeaten Bulgarians were certainly going to provide that. Bulgarian coach Martin Stoev had brought in some new faces for the match, and was instantly repaid as Todor Aleksiev helped the Europeans to an early 5-1 lead.
Krasimir Gaydarski also contributed a hefty block as Bulgaria imposed themselves, reaching the first TTO 8-2 ahead.
But the Europeans had also raced into an early lead in their match against Venezuela, only to take their foot off the gas and concede the first set.
An ace from Iran's Seyed Barzagard and points from Akbari and Mohammad Torkashvand brought that ghost back to Bulgarian minds, but Vladimir Nikolov and his teammates were doing enough to maintain their advantage.
More lethal work at the net from Aleksiev then gave them breathing space at 17-10, before Iran coach Milorad Kijac called a time-out to try to revive the fightback. Bulgarian coach Stoev then withdrew Nikolov and setter Andrey Zhekov, and Torkashvand immediately greeted substitute Ivan Zarev with an uncompromising block. Stoev was shuffling his pack like a card sharp, but the changes did nothing to stop his side's march towards set point.
Mohammad Mohammadkazem was doing his best to stop that from happening, but the Iranian number 17's plans were thwarted when he served into the net to confirm the first set for Bulgaria.
Iran kept things tighter at the start of the second set. Mohammad Mansouri, Bazargard and Akbari all got on the scoresheet early, but it was not enough to prevent the Bulgarians from leading 8-6 at the first TTO.
Iran hit back after setter Amir Hosseini stuck out a foot to rescue a Bulgarian spike, allowing Barzagard to bag the point for the Asians.
Both teams proceeded to match each other blow for blow, until all-round effective play from the dynamic Aleksiev carved open a gap at 16-13.
But Iran had shown their grit in coming back from a bad start to level their match against Italy, and dug in to catch the Bulgarians at 18-18.
Unfortunately for Iran, however, Bulgarian top-scorer Matey Kaziyski, who had only played a cameo role in the match until now, was coming into his own.
The number 6 blasted over a couple of deadly spikes, before landing an ace to take his side closer at 22-18. Set point arrived soon after, and Kaziyski cannoned his serve off the helpless Akbari to clinch the deal and announce his arrival with ominous authority.
Kaziyski continued his form into the third set, as Bulgaria moved into the first TTO 8-5 ahead. The Iranian defence must have been glad to see him leave the play as they trailed 12-7, and Akbari and Behnam Mahmoudi capitalised with well-taken points.
Kaziyski returned to blast over another point, but Hosseini and Mahmoudi were too busy reducing the defecit to notice.
Suddenly an Alireza Nadi ace had drawn Iran level, and another point took them in front. Bulgaria attempted to switch gears with a real fight on their hands, but Iran would not be shaken off.
Eventually Hristo Tsvetanov gave the Bulgarians match point at 24-23, and an Aleksiev block took care of the rest.
