TOKYO (Dispatches) - Team Iran have recovered from 2 sets-down to claim a 5-set thriller against Cuba in their 1st step towards the 2020 Olympics Games. 
 Iran defeated Cuba (23-25, 26-28, 25-17, 25-16, 15-10) in Pool E of the International Volleyball Federation Men’s International Olympic Qualification Tournament (IOQT).
Cuba took the initiative in the opener, moving ahead in sets with a 25-23 win. The Caribbeans went on to clinch another set after edging Iran 28-26 in the 2nd set, but that was as far as they could go, when the Asian giants swept them aside in the 3rd set 25-17.
Iran then continued their dominance in the 4th as they aced their way into the tie-break at 25-16, before out-classing the Cubans in the decider with a commanding 15 to 10 victory. Ali Shafiee topped the scoring for Iran with 20 points, while Osniel Hernandez bagged 15 points for Cuba.
Ali Shafiei led Iran with 20 points, while Cuban Osniel Lazaro Mergarejo Hernandez registered 15 points.
Russia also defeated Mexico 3-0 (25-15, 25-11, 25-17) in St. Petersburg.
A group of 24 teams are competing for six available tickets to Tokyo 2020.
The teams are divided into six pools of four, with the table toppers punching their tickets for next year’s Olympic Games.