Tehran, Iran, February 26, 2021 – Yazd Shahdab and Gonbad Shahrdari revived their hopes of making the cut for the Final Four of the Iran Men’s Volleyball Super League as both teams avenged losses to their respective opponents on Friday.
In their away matches on February 24, Gonbad Shahrdari, the team finishing seventh after the 30-week preliminaries, went down in hard-fought five sets to Urmia Shahrdari, while Yazd Shahdab, the third-ranked side after the preliminaries, lost a dramatic four-setter to Amol Labaniat.
With their backs against the wall, Gonbad Shahrdari and Yazd Shahdab played their must-win match on Friday to keep their high hopes of advancing to the semifinals alive.
Their greater determinations paid dividends handsomely this time when both sides came out in full strengths to beat their opponents.
Gonbad Shahrdari survived a sturdy challenge from Urmia Shahrdari, second-ranked team after the preliminaries, to put it past the tough rivals in hotly-contested four sets 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, 25-22.
Tall and powerful Edris Daneshfar was on fire throughout the game to score a game-high 20 points for Gonbad including 17 attack kills from 27 attempts, while Masoud Gholami led Urmia Shahrdari with 14 points including 5 kills.
With Urmia Shahrdari holding Gonbad Shahrdari to a 1-1 draw, the third match between them is set to be held on Sunday, February 28 to decide the eventual winning team to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Yazd Shahdab struggled hard to beat Amol Labaniat in hard-fought five-set thriller 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12 in their second playoff match. In their away match earlier, Amol Labaniat prevailed Yazd Shahdab 3-1. Following a 1-1 tie, both sides will next contest a decider to vie for the remaining slot for the semifinals.
DAY 4 RESULTS
Home matches
Gonbad Shahrdari b Urmia Shahrdari 3-1 (25-22, 19-25, 25-19, 25-22)
Yazd Shahdab b Amol Labaniat 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12)
DAY 5 MATCH SCHEDULE
Sunday, February 28
10:30 GMT – Amol Labaniat v Yazd Shahdab
13:30 GMT – Urmia Shahrdari v Gonbad Shahrdari
Live matches can be watched via https://volleyball.ir/livetv/
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