Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 24, 2015 – Turkey made a promising start to the FIVB Men’s U23 World Championship with a 3-1 victory (25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19) against Argentina in Pool B at Al Ahli Club in Dubai, on Monday.
Turkey’s outside hitter Gokhan Gokgoz led the players with 18 points and Metin Toy helped him with 17 points. Argentina’s Joaquin Galledo’s 16 points did not help to avoid the defeat.
The game started well balanced but after Argentina’s 10-7 lead, Turkey scored four points in a row to make it 11-10. Turkish team extended the gap point by point till the end with some strong spikes from Metin Toy and won the set 25-19.
Argentina took the early lead at 4-0 with effective block on the net by Joaquin Gallego and reached the first timeout 8-4. When the game resumes, thanks to Burak Gungor’s attacks, Turkey took the initiative and lead 11-10. European team did not let Argentina to level the game again and won the set 25-21.
Neither teams made a big difference at the beginning of the third set. It was Argentina who were leading 8-7 at the first technical timeout but after some tough rallies, Turkey made it 16-14 at the second. Argentina were the better side at the end and they won the set 25-22.
Despite Argentina’s determined start to the fourth set, Turkey gained the control in the middle part of the set. Metin Toy’s serves caused problems for Argentina reception and young Turkish players took a three points advantage at the second technical timeout. Argentina tried to stay competitive but Turkey did not let and won the set 25-19.