Iran started their campaign in style at the World Cup with a thumping 52-15 victory over USA. They overpowered their opponents in all aspects, be it the defensive chain tackles, holds on the raiders or the raiding itself, where the captain Meraj Sheykh led his troops from the front to inflict a total of 4 ALL-OUT’s at the close of play. There was a shadow of supremacy from the Iranian end that loomed large over the US team which is participating in World Cup for the first time.
It was Iran all the way since the beginning of the first half, they had threatening presence on court with the likes of Fazel Atrachali, Maghsoudlou, Hadi Oshtorak and Meraj Sheykh dominating the proceedings for their country. With 6 tackle points, 13 raid points, 4 points for inflicting two ALL-OUT’s and 4 other points, the Iranian team went ahead with a 20 point lead against the USA.
The first points for USA only came forth in the 8th minute, but the Irani’s showed their prowess to inflict two all-outs’ in under 12 minutes. With shades of inexperience, it was silly mistakes in terms of tackling due to which the Americans lagged behind while the score board kept ticking for Iran.
However, the raiders did sort of slightly emerge for USA securing successful of three rare occasions to take the score to 6-26. A rare mistake from Iran, as time ran out on a Do-or-Die raid rewarded USA with another point to end the first twenty minutes at 27-7 in favour of the Iranians.
HALF TIME: Iran 27-7 USA
A similar script was rolled out in the second-hald, with USA causing the least of troubles to Iran as they continued to score points with quite some ease and led 37-10 after 27 minutes courtesy of a third all-out.
It was the US skipper who displayed some might when he cashed in on a super raid to make it 13-37. However, it was to no avail as Iran continued to score points in heaps and inflicted what would be the fourth and last all-out in the 35th minute.
Troy Bacon, led his side single handedly in a losing cause as he scored more than half of his team’s total points. US did little to redeem themselves in the second half, but Iran were far too good for them with the score board pegged at 52-15 at the close of play.
FULL TIME: Iran 52-15 USA
With this win, the Asian Games silver medalist Iran will climb to the top of the tally in Pool B, and will approach their second match against Thailand with an essence of renewed confidence.
USA on the other hand, have a lot to take away from this fixture as their skipper Troy Bacon was quoted saying, “experience, skills and timing” are the aspects where they need to buck up, in order to take the challenge across to Japan in their match on Sunday.
