Qatar, who captured their maiden AVC Cup in Chinese Taipei early this month, had played a tough five-set match against Japan in the quarter-finals coming into yesterday’s game.
Iran, which had four players including Milad Ebadipour and Saeid Marou who competed in the previous Games in Incheon, did well throughout the match.
Seyedmohammad Mousavieraghi and Amir Ghafour defended brilliantly at the net, while the latter uncorked a barrage of fierce attacks to help the Iranians take the close first set 25-23.
Iranians then managed to keep Qatar at arm’s length in the second and third sets, which they won comfortably 25-19 25-18.
Mubarak Hammad led Qatar with 13 points, while Ghafour scored a match-high 18 points for Iran including 16 kills from 31 attempts. Seyedmohammad Mousavieraghi added 10 points including a team-leading 3 blocks.
Iran will face Korea in the title clash, while Qatar will take on Chinese Taipei in a bid to add bronze to their medals haul.
Fired-up Korea won a thrilling semi-final contest against Chinese Taipei 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-16, 20-25, 15-12) to reach their 10th final showdown at the Asian Games.
The Koreans have captured gold thrice — 1978 in Thailand, 2002 on home soil in Busan and 2006 in Doha, Qatar. In 2002 in particular, the Koreans brushed off Iran in straight sets to celebrate their second Asian Games title at home.
In the women’s team event today, the do-or-die semi-finals see Asian champions Japan set up a big match against world No.1 and Rio Games champions China, while Thailand renew rivalry with reigning champions Korea.
Vietnam will face Indonesia and the Philippines will meet Kazakhstan in the 5th-8th playoffs, with Chinese Taipei being pitted against India in the 9th-10th playoff.