Dubai: Iran volleyball coach Julio Velasco hopes his side can overcome the pressure of being favourites to retain their Asian Senior Men’s Championship crown in Dubai later this week.
The defending champions beat Iraq 3-0 in their first pre-quarter-final at the Hamdan Sports Complex here on Tuesday. Set scores of 25-16, 25-17 and 25-20 set them up for Wednesday’s second pre-quarter-final after they progressed as leaders of Group C with 3-0 wins over Kazakhstan and Kuwait over the weekend.
Iran won the last of the biannual events in Tehran in 2011 — their first continental title in the competition’s 38-year history. But after Tuesday’s victory over Iraq, Velasco had a word of caution.
“This is the first time that Iran play as favourites so it’s something new for the players,” said the Argentine. “They aren’t showing the pressure, but you never know what’s happening inside their minds.
“It’s easier when we have nothing to lose because that way if you win you are heroes and if you lose nothing happens. But here it is different, we must win because everyone expects us to. It’s a new role and it’s something we have to learn. We must play with confidence but also humility.”
Of the win against inexperienced Iraq, who are back in the Asian championships after a 24-year hiatus, Velasco added: “Each match is important because the team needs to take the rhythm of competition without losing. This is a long tournament and each time I ask the players for their full concentration. Without that the margins narrow.”
Velasco credited Iraq on their serve and receive but highlighted follow-up receptions, especially after Iran’s block, as their biggest shortfall. Meanwhile, Iraq coach Ahmad Shaaban said the game was won and lost simply by the power of Iran’s serve.
Shaaban said: “Iran serve hard and it was difficult for our players to get over that first reception — that was our main problem today.
“You can’t compare Iran and Iraq in terms of confidence and experience. Iran are the defending champions and the last time Iraq played in an Asian tournament was 1989.
“My players played well according to their age and experience, so overall I am satisfied and I believe they can give a better account of themselves in the future. I was actually expecting a lot worse.”
