Egypt enjoy second victory with 3-1 defeat of Venezuela

Ahmed Abdelhay led Egypt with 15 points, with Abd Elhalim Mohamed Abou contributing another 13 markers. Setter Hossam Abdalla earned the Most Impressive Player nod as he managed to keep the team together with a well-spread offence. 

Egypt established their serving strength in the competition and they got off with aces in the first set. They also enjoyed an advantage in the frontline with Abou and Mamdouh Abdelrehim.

Venezuela needed to firm up their floor defence to avoid the slamfest being staged by the opponents. Instead, they fumbled on rare opportunities that they could pass the ball.

It was a stark difference that the Egyptian hitters established in the first set: 13 attacks compared to Venezuela’s three.

Badawy Mohamed Moneim closed the first set, 25-18 with a block point. 

Venezuela vastly improved in the second set. Jose Carrasco set up Emerson Rodriguez at the wing, and enlisted quick kills from Jonathan Quijada at the middle. They also performed better from the service line, scoring off some aces.

Unable to adjust to the challenge, Egypt lagged in their defensive stance and in their composure, to lose the second set, 25-20. 

Venezuela’s confidence levelled up in the third set. They were running a tighter offence and making better decisions in transition plays.

Fernando Gonzalez showed how much of a spark plug he could be for his team, as he did wonders from the wing.

Egypt needed to remember that they could be the stronger blocking team in the match. Abou inflicted his vigilance on the net to break their opponents’ offence. They pulled away in the second set, 25-18. 

Abou continued to establish a commanding presence at the middle in the fourth set. Abdalla maximised the use quick balls for Abou to make the kill.

Abdalla himself was picking up points on spikes, blocks and serves. His tip-in finished off the fourth set, 25-20.