Iran defeated South Korea in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-19) in the final of the 2013 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.
In September 2011, Iran won the Asian Volleyball Championship for the first time with a 3-1 victory over China.
In the bronze medal match, China beat Japan 3-1 (25-18, 25-22, 22-25, 25–20).
Iran joins host Japan as well Brazil, Russia, the U.S. and one wild-card nation in the men’s Grand Champions Cup that will take place from November 19 to 24.
Marouf said of the World Grand Champions Cup: “It’s a big competition where all the big teams play. But I think, with this win, Iran has improved a lot and have more self-confidence. I think we can play with the biggest [teams] in the world.
“Iran volleyball can show more than this. We won this tournament having lost just one set throughout the entire competition, so I think we can show another good performance in Japan.”
Of his double award, Marouf, who also won an Asian Championship MVP in 2009, added: “I’m surprised because it’s very hard for a setter and a libero to win the MVP. This is a great moment and I’m very happy. I may be MVP on paper but everyone in this team played their part and deserves the credit.”
China’s Zheng Weijun also bagged a double award as best scorer and best server, while Iran dominated the rest of the individual awards, with Amir Gafour, Mohammad Mousavi and Farhad Zarif picking up respective best spiker, blocker and libero awards.
Iran’s Saeed Marouf was honored as the Most Valuable Player of the 2013 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship which ended with his team winning a second straight title in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
News ID 185420
