体坛英语新闻：Iran beats Qatar to take 2014 Asian Men's Club Volleyball title

MANILA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran overcame first set deficit to outplay unbeaten Qatar on Wednesday to win the 2014 Asian Men's Club Volleyball title in front of a big crowd of Iranian students waving flags.

Iran wrapped up the winner-take-all four sets, 19-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-16.

With the victory, Iran denied Qatar the honor and earned a trip ticket to the World Men's Volleyball championship slated next month in Brazil, site of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Driven by desire and determination to win and confirmed their status undisputed kingpin in volleyball in Asia, the Iranians dominated the Qatari team, reinforced by veteran Olympian Cristian Savani of Italy, in the next three sets to finish the tournament held at MOA Arena.

Savani had 19 points but couldn't get solid support from his teammates when the game progresses to the dismay of coach Igor Arbutina, who left the playing court in disappointment.

"It was a hard-earned win for us. Qatar pushed us to the limit. My players refused to fold up because they really wanted to win. I'm satisfied to the outcome of the game," said Italian coach Daniele Bagnoli.

Playmaker Mahmoudi Shahram presided Iran's torrid offensive with 19 points and four blocks and Sharifat Mostafa and Mousavi Seyed Mohammad each contributed 13 points to typify the Iranians unquestioned dominance of the 16-team competition hosted for the first time by the Philippines.

Qatar crushed all its rivals but failed to upstage Iran and succumbed to the superior game of the Iranians, who played with too much fire and intensity in their first title showdown encounter of two Middle East teams.

It was a sorry loss for the Qataris, who took the early initiative only to fold up when the game was on the line in the week-long competition.