Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 28, 2015 – Argentina defeated Brazil by 3-2 (25-18, 25-18, 31-33, 23-25, 15-13) on the fourth day of Pool B in FIVB Men’s U23 World Championship at Al Ahli Club, on Friday.
Despite reaching 6 points with this victory, Argentina lost their hopes to qualify for the semifinals. Defending champions Brazil has 7 points and kept their semifinals hope alive before the last day.
Argentina’s Pablo Koukartsev was the star player of the game with 34 points. Alan Souza’s 22 points were not enough for Brazil to avoid defeat.
Argentina took the initiative from the beginning of the first set and extended the gap till the end. Pablo Koukartsev’s 7 points and Joaquin Gallego’s serves were the main difference maker and Argentina won the set 25-18.
Brazil started with more resistance to the second set but after the second technical timeout, which Argentinian team led 16-14, it was Argentina all over again. Argentinian team finished the set with a 9-4 run and won the set 25-18.
Brazilian team were more aggressive in the third set and stayed ahead until 20’s. Argentina stepped up late and levelled the game at 20-all. In the end both team had opportunities to close the game and Brazil eventually won 33-31.
Brazil played a really effective game in the fourth set, which they needed to win to keep hopes alive for qualify for the semifinals. Despite Argentina’s fight in last part of the set, Brazil did not lose the control and won the set 25-23.
The tie break started point by point between teams. After 4-4, Argentina’s errors helped Brazilian team to gain a three points advantage at 8-5. In the end Argentina made a great comeback to win the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.