Iran loses to U.S. at volleyball worlds

TEHRAN, Nov. 28 (MNA)-- Iran’s three-game winning streak ended on Sunday in Japan with a 3-0 loss to the United States at the 2011 FIVB Men's World Cup. In the match held in Fukuoka Marine Messe, Iran lost to the U.S. in straight sets (25-15, 27-25, and 25-14). Clayton Stanley notched a match-high 25 points for the winners, including 5 aces and 7 blocks. Mehdi Bazargarde was Iran’s top scorer with 10 points. “The U.S. played a very good match. They bested us in all aspects of the game. Their serves, blocks and receptions were all better,” Iran coach Julio Velasco said in a post-match news conference. “The U.S. used good tactics. They took all of our weak points and attacked them. Stanley is an extraordinary player. Our players respected the U.S. team too much”, he added. Iran opened the competitions with a 3-1 victory over Japan but the Persians lost to Cuba 3-0 in their second game. Afterward, Julio Velasco’s men stunned giants Serbia, Poland and Argentina in the World Cup. The Iranian side will face Egypt on Monday.