Algeria stunned Iran to take the first set, but the Asian side pulled together to take the next four for a 4-1 (16-18, 15-8, 15-7, 15-12) win in an hour and seven minutes Sunday, that theoretically still keeps them alive in the race for a ticket to the semifinals of the 2017 FIVB Men's U23 World Championship.

It was Iran's second win in the competition for a 2-1 record that keeps them theoretically in contention. Algeria are winless, but picked up their first set after two 0-4 defeats.

All matches in Cairo are played under a new scoring system currently being tested: a best-of-seven, 15-point set format, fivb.com reported.

Algeria were first to reach set point in the first at 13-14 and had to cancel Iran's at 16-15 before taking the lead with an 18-16 finish after a kill from the outside down the line by Yassine Abdellaoui.

Saeed Javaheri scored 13 points for Iran and Rasoul Aghchehli another 12, but it was Algeria's Akram Dekkiche on 16 who was top scorer of the game as the African side served six aces to Iran's three and tied the Asians on blocks at 7-7.