Poland bounced from a set down to see off Canada in four
Osaka, Japan, September 16, 2015 – The second round of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup Japan 2015 began in Osaka and Toyoma on Wednesday, with USA and Poland maintaining their winning ways at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifier.
USA took little time dismantling Venezuela in straight sets while Poland recovered from an opening set loss to beat Canada in four. They now sit first and second in the standings on six wins each, with Italy on five. Russia, Argentina and hosts Japan follow on four apiece with Iran and Canada on two, Australia and Venezuela on one and Tunisia and Egypt yet to get off the marker.
The United States made life easy for themselves, defeating Venezuela in three easy sets (25-18, 25-16, 25-20). John Speraw said his team’s serve has been the difference-maker so far in the tournament, and the statistics back that up as they scored 12 on Wednesday, the most of any match by any team so far in the tournament.
It was another worrying start for Poland as they dropped the opening set before disposing of Canada 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19) to also remain unbeaten. Bartosz Kurek helped dig his team out of trouble, delivering 21 points to maintain Poland’s unblemished record after six matches in the competition.
Russia also had a scare in the opening set but eventually got the better of Australia 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 25-18). Artem Volvich scored 10 points, including four aces as Australia started strongly before they eventually became undone.
Ivan Zaytsev dominated at the net with 26 points, including 24 kills, as Italy saw off Iran 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-21). Italy gave up more errors than their opponents, but a 23-point advantage in attack proved the difference.
Hosts Japan had a nervous start, but eventually took just three sets (25-21, 25-19, 25-19) to beat Tunisia, condemning the African side to a sixth straight defeat. Kunhiro Shimizu was once again an inspiration as captain, scoring five aces – the most of any player on day six – to send the crowd into elation.
Luciano De Cecco commanded Argentina’s offensive game as the world No.7 beat Egypt in straight sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-21). The captain and setter was named Most Impressive Player as Facundo Conte scored 15 points, Cristian Poglajen 11 and Sebastian Sole 10.
Top Scorer by Day
26 – Facundo Conte of Argentina v Iran on September 8
36 – Abdelhay Ahmed of Egypt v Canada on September 9
24 – Ivan Zaytsev of Italy v Egypt on September 10
50 – Thomas Edgar of Australia v Egypt on September 12
26 – John Gordan Perrin of Canada v Australia on September 13
26 – Ivan Zaytsev of Italy v Iran on September 16
Top Individual Serving Performances
6 – Simone Gianelli of Italy v Australia on September 9
5 – Ivan Zaytsev of Italy v Japan on September 13
5 – Ahmed Abdelhay of Egypt v Japan on September 8
5 – Kunhiro Shimizu of Japan v Tunisia on September 16
4 – Abou Mohamed of Egypt v Canada on September 9
4 – Matt Anderson of USA v Italy on September 12
4 – Russell Aaron of USA v Egypt on September 13
4 – Dawid Konarski of Poland v Venezuela on September 13
4 – Matt Anderson of USA v Venezuela on September 16
4 – Taylor Sander of USA v Venezuela on September 16
4 – Artem Volvich of Russia v Australia on September 16
Top Team Serving Performances
12 – USA v Venezuela on September 16
11 – USA v Japan on September 9
11 – USA v Egypt on September 13
10 – Argentina v Venezuela on September 9
10 – USA v Australia on September 8
10 – Egypt v Japan on September 8
9 – Italy v Japan on September 13
9 – Egypt v Canada on September 9
9 – USA v Canada on September 10
9 – Russia v Argentina on September 12
9 – Poland v Venezuela on September 13
9 – Poland v Canada on September 16
Top Individual Blocking Performances
8 – Sebastien Sole of Argentina v Iran on September 8
Top Team Blocking Performances
16 – Australia v Canada on September 13
15 – Argentina v Iran on September 8
14 – Canada v Australia on September 13
13 – Russia v Tunisia on September 10
13 – Australia v Japan on September 10
Highest Scoring Sets
32-34 Canada v Australia (1st set) on September 13
32-30 Venezuela v Argentina (1st set) on September 9
29-27 Russia v Venezuela (1st set) on September 8
29-27 Russia v Tunisia (3rd set) on September 10
29-27 USA v Italy (3rd set) on September 12)
27-29 Canada v Australia (4th set) on September 13
Highest Scoring Matches
245 – Canada d Australia 3-2 (32-34, 25-14, 25-21, 27-29, 20-18) on September 13 *NEW WORLD CUP RECORD
219 – Australia d Egypt 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13) on September 12
218 – Canada d Egypt 3-2 (25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 24-26, 15-12) on September 9
216 – Venezuela d Tunisia 3-2 (19-25, 25-18, 22-25, 28-26, 15-13) on September 12
202 – Poland d Iran 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 15-11) on September 12
199 – Japan d Egypt 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 17-25, 15-7) on September 8
189 – Poland d Venezuela (25-27, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23) on September 13
185 – Poland d Argentina 3-1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-22, 27-25) on September 10
183 – Japan d Australia 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 25-27, 25-18) on September 10