India bow to Iran in final

Fielding their second string side with the top side preparing for the World Championship, Iran settled the issue in 83 minutes with a 25-19, 25-22, 29-27 scoreline.

The hosts gave Iranians some fight in the third set which stretched to 32 minutes, but it was too little and too late.

India’s Asian Cup captain Gurchand Singh, who impressed in the win over Pakistan, failed to make his presence felt.  Iran conceded too many points through unforced errors in the third set that helped India take a three-point lead (16-13) till the second technical time out. But once the visitors tightened their play, India had no chance. Iran took the set 29-27 to emerge winners.