Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 26, 2008 -- Gritty Iran underlined their domination over the inaugural Asian Men’s Cup Volleyball Championship following their awesome display and strong rally back in the adrenalin-flowing 106-minute showdown against Korea on Friday. China beat Japan to finish third.

Before the packed spectators inside the Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall, the Iranians overpowered the Asian Games champions Koreans with a fantastic come-from-behind 13-25 25-15 27-25 15-25 15-7 victory to land the Asian Cup for the first time.

For world number 24 Iran, which finished fifth at the last year’s Asian meet in Jakarta, the triumph was a sweet revenge over the in-form Koreans, to whom they lost in the group round-robin preliminaries.

World number 19 Korea, which did not lose to any team en route to the Friday’s final clash, took the second place in the eight-team tournament. The devastating left-hander Park Chul-Woo led the Koreans with 23 points, while Mohammad Mohammadkazem scored the highest 19 points for Iran.

In the third-place play-off earlier, China, world number 10 and joint fifth place at the recent Beijing Olympic Games, put in their best effort in the thrilling clash against Japan, world number 11 and champions at the 13th Asian Championship in Suphan Buri, Thailand in 2005.

Strengthened by five fully-fledged players who experienced the Beijing Games including the tournament’s tallest player Bian Hongmin, 210cm, hard-attacking Cui Jianjun and skilful libero Ren Qi, China annihilated the inexperienced, newly-formed rivals in straight sets 25-22 25-16 25-19.

As expected, Cui led the Chinese with 19 points, while captain Takeshi Kitajima scored the highest 15 points for Japan. With the convincing triumph, the formidable Chinese claimed the third spot in the one-week top-flight tournament, while Japan had to be content with the fourth place.

In the battle for the fifth place, the last year’s Asian champions Australia, whose height average is 201cm against Thailand’s 187cm, used their height advantage and power at the net to outclass the host side in comfortable straight sets 29-27 25-16 25-17 in 75 minutes. Kititikun Sriutthawong and Zane Christensen scored the highest 15 points for Thailand and Australia respectively.

Australia finished fifth place in the overall standing, leaving the host squad to come in sixth place, the similar position they had achieved at the last year’s Asian meet in Jakarta.

“I’m pleased with the results of my team. We made a superb start in the match against the much stronger Australia, but shortly after that, our game became more prone with unforced errors, leaving our rivals to seize the chance of winning more crucial points,” Thai head coach Monchai Supajirakul commented.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei blunted the fierce attack of Indonesia to wedge out the South East Asian Games winners 3-1 (25-21 25-23 21-25 29-27) in 91 minutes to return with the seventh place. Indonesia finished eighth position in the one-week tournament.

Final standing:

1. Iran; 2. Korea; 3. China; 4. Japan; 5. Australia; 6. Thailand; 7. Chinese Taipei; 8. Indonesia

Best players:

1. Best Spiker - Park Chul-Woo (Korea)

2. Best Server - Cui Jianjun (China)

3. Best Receiver – Yeo Oh-Hyun (Korea)

4. Best Digger – Chien Wei Lun (Chinese Taipei)

5. Best Scorer – Yasuyuki Shibakoya (Japan)

6. Best Setter – Saranchit Charoensuk (Thailand)

7. Best Libero Player - Yeo Oh-Hyun (Korea)

8. Most Valuable Player – Hamzeh Zarini (Iran)