RIMINI, Italy (Dispatches) – Iran lost to Russia in their second match at the 2021 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Saturday.
Team Melli was defeated against Russia 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 25-20) in the competition underway in Rimini, Italy.
Amir Ghafour, Milad Ebadipour were not in the match due to the sickness.
Earlier on Friday, Team Melli was defeated against Japan 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 26-24) in the.
Amir Ghafour grabbed 15 points for Iran in the match, while Ishikawa Yuki scored 18 points for Japan.
The competition format is a single round robin pool with each of the 16 teams facing every other ahead of semifinals between the top four of the standings.
The semifinal winners will clash for the title, with the losers playing out for the bronze medal.
The tournament is being held within a secure ‘bubble’ with all hygiene protocols in place to ensure the health and well-being of all athletes, officials and staff throughout the competition.