Egypt gets first win at expense of Iran in FIVB Men's World Championship

Egypt notched its first win in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship with a 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 victory over Iran on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Pharaohs recovered from a second-set hiccup and held off Iran in two tight sets to seal the match.

Iran trailed 19-18 in the third set before Egypt went on a 3-0 run, sparked by an attack from Abdelrahman Mohammed and consecutive blocks by Ahmed Shafik and Mohammed Osman Elhaddad.

A team fault by Egypt off an attack from Yousef Kazemi Poshtpari gave Iran a glimmer of hope, but back-to-back errors from the Iranians brought Egypt to match point.

Ali Haghparast saved one match point, but a service error by Ali Hajipour MoghadDam FaroUji handed the victory to Egypt.

Shafik led Egypt with 18 points built on 16 attacks, while Abdelrahman Elhossiny Eissa added 17 points from 15 attacks, a block, and an ace.

“It was a very tough game from the first point to the last. Since we knew we were playing Iran, we’ve been managing everything to stop their strongest points and play to their weakest,” Eissa said.

Hajipour MoghadDam FaroUji led Iran (0-1) with 17 points.

Egypt (1-0) will face host Philippines next on Tuesday.

—GMA Integrated News