India regain Rashid Volley title

India regained the Rashid International Volleyball title beating Iran in straight games 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 at the Al Shabab indoor stadium in Dubai on Monday.

The win was sweet revenge for India as it had lost to Iran in the preliminary round. The match started on an even note and the scores were level till 12-12 in the first game before Iran ran to a 22-15 lead helped by powerful smashes from Amir Hussain, Ali Reza Nadi and strong net blocks by Momeni and Tarkashvand.

But India did not push the panic buttons and rallied brilliantly by tightening their defence. Joby Joseph and Amir Singh soon found their touch and sliced through the Iranian defence winning eight of the next nine points to draw level at 23-23 and then led 24-23 before winning the game 25-23.

The second game went along similar lines as Iran raced ahead to lead 11-5. But fine play by the Indians saw them knotting it at 18-18 though Iran fought back to take a 22-19 lead.

Once again the Indians authored a spirited comeback to tie the scores at 23-23 with excellent play by Subba Rao, Amir Singh and Joby. India won the second game 25-23 when Iran's Torkashwand erred with a drop shot.

The third game was an altogether different story as a confident India led from start to finish to wrap up the match. As Iran's spikers suddenly went wayward, India tightened its grip on the match excelling both in attack and defence leading 9-5, 13-11 and 19-12 before triumphing in style.