News / Sports

Iran men’s goalball team named world’s second best after Lithuania

Monday, 16 October 2017 8:49 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 16 October 2017 8:50 AM ]

The Iranian men’s national goalball team (file photo)

The Iranian men’s national goalball team has been named the world's second best squad for September 2017, thanks to its remarkable displays at the 2017 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball Asia/Pacific Championships.

According to the latest monthly rankings released by the IBSA, the governing body for blind sports, the Iranian outfit gained 510.322 points.

Lithuania claimed the top spot in the global rankings with 661.162 points.

China garnered 479.827 points, and sat in the third slot.

The Chinese squad was followed by German and Turkey, which landed in the fourth and fifth spots respectively, having accumulated 449.309 and 426.359 points.

The Iranian men’s national goalball team slumped to a 2-10 defeat against China on August 26, and became the runner-up of the 2017 IBSA Goalball Asia/Pacific Championships.

The tournament started in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 19, and finished on August 27.

Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for male and female athletes with a visual impairment. Participants compete in teams of three, and try to throw a ball that has bells embedded in it into the opponents' goal.

Teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball from one end of the playing area to the other, and players remain in the area of their own goal in both defense and attack. Players must use the sound of the bell to judge the position and movement of the ball. Games consist of two 12-minute halves.

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