Osaka, Japan, November 19, 2009 -- Defending champion Brazil had to work hard before beating Iran 3-1 in the first match of the second day of the Men’s World Grand Champions Cup on Thursday.

The world champions eventually came home 25-22, 25-18, 23-25, 25-19 to extend their win-loss record to 2-0, while dropping Iran to 1-1.

Though beaten by Brazil, the Iranian team won high praise from the head coach of Brazil.

Coach Bernardinho said “I thought that Iran played an amazing game. They are a very good team on the court, playing with speed and a lot of heart, defence and block very well. This is the first time in all my years with the national team to play against Iran and I am very impressed. We had to play very hard at the end. Iran deserve a lot of compliments.”

Iran’s Coach Hossein Madani was very satisfied with his players, saying “I think it was a good match, especially for us, although we can play better. You know we played against the best team in the world and had too much pressure for the players, but the players controlled all the pressure and played a very good match.”

Iran emerged with great credit, however, and had the satisfaction of taking one set off the world number one the day after beating Egypt 3-2.

Brazil started the match without their inspirational captain Giba, who was given a rest in the corner of the court. But there was still plenty of experience out there in Rodrigao and Murilo, and Brazil did just enough to take the first two sets.

In the third set, Iran rallied to level the scores at 13 all and then 18 all. With nothing to lose, the Iranians were really enjoying the experience and swinging lustily to give Brazil too many awkward moments for their liking. Trailing 23-21 after a Mohammad Kazem cracker on the right, Brazil called a TO in the hope of turning things round without the need for a fourth set. They could not save it, though, and Vissotto served into the net to hand Iran the third set 25-23 on their second set point

There were signs that the Brazilians were finally getting their serve together in the fourth set, a part of their game that had been infuriating coach Bernardinho. Brazil led 8-6 at the first TTO, and a Thiago block on Kazem made it 11-7. Mousavi responded with a block on Rodrigao as Iran stayed in touch, and when the gap was down to one at 12-11, Brazil called a TO. Murilo responded with two magnificent spikes to send Brazil into the second TTO ahead 16-12. The end was in sight as Brazil stayed focused and Iran lacked their earlier fire and consistency. It wasn't long before the defending champions closed it 25-19 with Murilo leading the way.