Toyama, Japan, September 17, 2015 –
Facundo Conte starred in Argentina’s 3-0 win (25-21, 25-23, 25-16) over Australia in the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup at the Toyama City Gymnasium on Thursday.
Conte deserved the Most Impressive Player recognition for his 19-point output. Cristian Poglajen hauled 12 more points to power Argentina into their fifth win.
Conte and Poglajen quickly went to operate at the flank to put Australia’s blockers to work. Captain Luciano De Cecco, once again, proved to be maestro of plays, orchestrating the Argentine offence with much variation. For Australia, Thomas Edgar was clearly to go-to guy as he was able to score some attacks. Not long after, his spikes were being denied.
Paul Carroll checked in for Edgar and delivered some points, but Argentina endured in the first set, 25-21.
Australia put on some commendable defence in the second set, as they were able to maintain rallies and winning over a handful. Carroll continued to work from the flank towards a 9-6 lead.
Teams exchanged points with Argentina’s breadth of offensive options, and Australia’s gallant counterattack.
Australia crumbled at the end of the second set, 23-25.
Coach Julio Velasco’s squad made quick work of the third set and sent down a barrage of attacks and a 16-8 lead by the second technical timeout.
Australia faced difficulty in passing the ball and in surmounting the huge gap set before them.
Argentina’s Martin Ramos went for the kill to finish off the third set, 25-16.