Egypt sends USA to second loss at Intercontinental Sitting Volleyball Cup – Volleyball news
Men’s National Sitting Volleyball team of Egypt defeated U.S. squad at the Intercontinental Cup in Cairo on Tuesday, March 6.
Egyptian men exhibited wonderful performance and clinched success by posting 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-11) on board. Egypt has been the top team of the tournament as it has not lost any match so far.
After four days, Egypt stands with an overall record of 4-0. On the other hand, the American team took a very good start in the tournament and captured first two matches but failed to carry the momentum in third and fourth match. They lost their previous
match to Croatia on Monday, while Egypt provided them another setback on Tuesday.
Egypt has already qualified for the 2012 London Paralympics but the U.S. is still struggling to earn the qualification.
The experienced U.S. Head Coach Bill Hamiter Bethany started the match with a strong team-line, which included outside hitters Eric Duda and J Dee Marinko, middle blockers Dan Regan and Roderick Green, the right side Stuck and Charles Swearingen, and libero
Ed O’Neil.
Eric Duda settled for the position of top-scorer in the match. He put up valiant effort and contributed nine points. He was followed by equally talented James Stuck (New Kensington, Pa./Edmond, Okla.) who chipped in eight points. However, it proved to be
a failing effort for Americans as the Egyptians forced them to suffer the loss of important match in straight sets.
The opening set of the match featured balanced action from both sides. The two teams exchanged long rallies and score quick points. Following the second technical timeout, Egypt came up with better delivery of shots and claimed the opening set, 25-17.
The second set unfolded the similar story as U.S. men’s failed to catch up with the opponents. Second set ended with the final score of 25-18, while Egypt improved to 2-0. Eventually, the Egyptian side announced victory by winning third set in row, 25-11.
The Intercontinental Men’s Sitting Volleyball Cup will be continued until Friday, March 9. Egypt, Iran and Brazil have already qualified for the 2012 Paralympics but the other participants of the campaign will compete to secure the ticket to London.
The American squad is up on front to go into the Paralympics. The last time they qualified for the Paralympic Games was in 2004 when they defeated Brazil at the Parapan American Games, which were held in Argentina. There two more days to go and the U.S.
team really need to get back on track, in order to reserve a berth in the Paralympics.
In the next match on Wednesday, U.S. team has a tough challenge to face Brazil. The South American team is enjoying the top form and it will be a daunting task for U.S. men to overcome the rivals. Elsewhere, Egypt will take on Croatia on the same day.
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