|
|
Post by bAnthony on Jul 18, 2014 17:45:37 GMT -5
These teams get set to go at it again after the epic thriller in Japan back in November. The absence of Mahmaoudi has lead to another star to shine. Click here to read the preview |
|
|
|
Post by dusty64 on Jul 18, 2014 19:53:55 GMT -5
These teams get set to go at it again after the epic thriller in Japan back in November. The absence of Mahmaoudi has lead to another star to shine. Click here to read the previewIran is no longer a promise in volley world, they are already on top, facing the sharks, and beat them! They have what you need to winning: as a team very good passing, serving and especially they fight for every point, that's why they came back to game several times. Individually speaking, Gaffour (Opp), Gaemi (OH), Mirzanjapour (OH) and Mousavi are really really above average. It will be a very tough task! Tomorrow, i hope: -Sander can handle their big shots from the service line, and perform the way he did vs Australia -Anderson doesn´t miss so many serves and can change his attacks time to time (vs Australia he was blocked 5 or 6 times because he crossed the shots too many times) -Holt will be on in terms of serve/block (7/3 vs Australia) -Lee can "box" Mousavi and Gaffour -Rooney can pass as he has been doing but hit harder and more accurately -Micah will be setting as ever -Shoji = Shoji, meaning awsome as always (except those Zaytsev serves...) -Speraw can read some situations better than he did vs Italy and Australia -and most of all, they must bring ENERGY to the court and fight for every single point, something that sometimes doesn´t happen |
|
|
|
Post by lionsarm on Jul 18, 2014 20:26:38 GMT -5
I hope we can play out best and execute, but as a team, I just don't think we are ready for the big stage just yet. I absolutely hope we can pull it together and squeeze out a victory.
But as a team, Iran's trajectory has been nothing less that fantastic. It's seems like everytime you look, they are playing big match after big match. We may have the more prodigious talents like holt anderson and sander, but I think Iran has the big edge in terms of mental toughness and a ability to fight for every point.
|
|
|
|
Post by phildunphy on Jul 18, 2014 21:09:37 GMT -5
We may have the more prodigious talents like holt anderson and sander, but I think Iran has the big edge in terms of mental toughness and a ability to fight for every point. With all due respect I disagree with this. Rooney & Lee have Gold Medals and have played overseas for years now. You don't become anything BUT mentally tough dealing with living abroad...especially depending on where you are playing. Also along those lines, Rooney has transformed himself from high ball hitter...to handling more of a passing role. You don't do that w/o being mentally strong. Holt plays in the strongest league in the world...which happens to be in Russia...again, not an easy place to live abroad 6 months a year. All Matt Anderson has done is cement his status as a top 5 player in the world. You don't become the MVP for Zenit if you are mentally weak. I personally think this match-up is a godsend. Do we really want to play Brazil or Russia in the semi's? I know Russia is up and down right now, but if Burykov/Savin/Illnyk pass even a little...they are deadly. With that buzz cut, Murillo looks and is playing like it's 2008. I agree that Iran is playing well and running a silly quick offense, but of the 3 options we had for a semi opponent...this is easily as good as it gets! Also, not trolling u personally...u bring a LOT to the forum. Just don't agree that we aren't mentally tough. Now...the pups Sander/Micah need to play like game 2-4 vs. Aus and NOT 1-3 vs. Italy and Game 1 vs. Aus! |
|
|
|
Post by lionsarm on Jul 18, 2014 23:11:05 GMT -5
Appreciate the opposing view, I sure hope I'm wrong and that we can show mettle during the critical moments tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by gb77 on Jul 18, 2014 23:11:29 GMT -5
iran won because brazil served poorly & wallace was not effective. if usa can deliver service pressure to mess up the quick offense & perform as they have for the matches where they beat russia & serbia in the past few weeks they can win. usa hasnt shown that level this week - hope they will get there this weekend
|
|
|
|
Post by iluvball on Jul 19, 2014 0:54:19 GMT -5
Imagine if the big Clay is playing the Opp with Anderson/sander at OH. We'll win gold for sure...
Now wake up with reality, we need to pass the ball and keep our serving pressure on them and we'll have better chance to be in the final. Our team is good overall, not best at the moment but our blocking defense is among one of the best. Holt, Sander and Anderson need to send them some bombs at the service line to get them out of offense rhythm. And most importantly we need to keep our heads up and play every point as a match point. We've made this far and there are only 2 more matches. It is possible USA.
|
|
|
|
Post by farhad on Jul 19, 2014 4:03:05 GMT -5
Hey, I'm from Iran. I've been looking for some article about the today's game and I found your thread. Anyway, I think both teams are equally strong, but Iranians strength lies in their speed. We usually, with Maroof as a stter, use short passes and speed to overcome other teams blocking defence and that's , I think, why we usually play better against Brazil or Italy and then again we lose to Russia. Russian back defense was superb and we couldn't use speed. I think you (the team USA) will stand a better chance if you can find a counter strategy against speed. I think strong jump services could be the key.
|
|
|
|
Post by baywatcher on Jul 19, 2014 9:00:42 GMT -5
Welcome to the site, Farhad. With four friendlies coming up you might want to bookmark it; I think by the end of August these two teams will have had enough of each other.
The USA starts three newcomers, at setter, libero and OH. How they react will tell a lot about USA level of play.At times that level has been very high, so no excuses. To me this looks like balance of iran v. two stars from USA.
|
|
|
|
Post by phildunphy on Jul 19, 2014 9:02:28 GMT -5
Appreciate the opposing view, I sure hope I'm wrong and that we can show mettle during the critical moments tomorrow. To be fair, I am also agreeing with you to a certain degree. We do NEED Micah & Sander to be incredibly mentally tough, especially Sander. The neon glowing light of this World League has been the offense Sander has brought to the team. After watching every match of the Finals and several during group stage...both live and on video...Sander is already among the most athletic and dynamic hitters in the world. To say I am floored at how quickly he has established himself in that area is an understatement. Watching how he bounced back in games 2-4 after basically handing game 1 to Australia by himself, showed he can find that toughness. If we see that Sander today...I think USA wins rather easy. I know Iran beat Brazil and went 5 w/ Russia, but both those matches deserve asterisks in some ways. Russia is such a mess right now on the OH. Voronkov doesn't seem to know what he wants to do out there. The revolving door of Buriyukov/Savin/Ilinykh can't seem to pass and Spiridonov has great BC, but he seems to be last man off pine. Where is Sivozhelez? 2013 Russia was AMAZING with the S & S combo passing nails and they rolled everyone. Now they seem so human. In that match with Iran, Russia slept game 1...cruised games 2 & 3. Lost a 35-37 game 4...win easy in 5. The next night, both Russia and Brazil went for blood w/ Brazil getting the win. So Brazil now plays Iran in a match that means nothing to Brazil other than who they play...which they don't know anyway because Italy/Australia hasn't happened yet. (Obv Italy was huge fave...but still...Brazil doesn't KNOW who they play win or lose) So as was pointed out...Brazil plays with lack of focus (especially from service line) and loses. I guess my question would be...if Brazil HAD to win that match...how many times out of 10 do they win? 8 or 9? Just sayin... I'm not taking Iran lightly at all. They have been VERY impressive this whole WL. Their offense is extremely fast and fun to watch. I just think they caught a "perfect storm" so to speak this time. Now we are nowhere near perfect on our side of the net either...that's for sure! I just think our best is better than their best and I expect USA to bring it's best today...3-1 USA!!! |
|
|
|
Post by c4ndlelight on Jul 19, 2014 10:38:26 GMT -5
It's cliche, but Iran's setter really does better the ball. Should be a good match.
|
|
|
|
Post by gb77 on Jul 19, 2014 10:39:40 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by kro2488 on Jul 19, 2014 10:44:21 GMT -5
1 set usa up 14-10. just tuned in.
|
|
|
|
Post by eastcoastvolleyball on Jul 19, 2014 10:44:21 GMT -5
15-10! USA! USA! USA!
|
|
|
|
Post by c4ndlelight on Jul 19, 2014 10:50:02 GMT -5
Iran needs to ratchet up their service pressure.
|
|
