A passionate crowd in the Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera watched Tunisia and Mexico win on day two of the Men's World Olympic Qualification tournament in Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico, June 4, 2016- Mexico’s hope of qualifying for their second Olympic Games has all eyes set on the Men’s World Olympic Tournament after day two results keeps the home team undefeated.
Matches on Sunday will unveil the name of the winning ticket to the summer Olympic Games, with Chile looking for an important victory over Algeria and Mexico trying to remain unbeaten to seal the deal over Tunisia.
Match Centres
Tunisia beat Algeria 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 26-24, 25-21)
Match Centre
Mexico beat Chile 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22)
Match Centre
World Olympic Qualification Tournament websites:
Mexico has waited 48 years to revive the Olympic dream, as they took part in the 1968 edition of the Games while hosting the event and took one big step towards booking the ticket after defeating Chile 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22).
The hosts Mexico subdued Latin American rivals Chile prevailing in every skill. Mexico held a 60-52 advantage in attacks, 9-4 in blocking and 4-2 in aces. Chile benefited from 32 Mexican errors while limiting their own to 24.
The crowd roared with Carlos Guerra’s performance as the top scorer of the match with 22 points on 18 kills and 4 aces, joined by Daniel Vargas and Samuel Cordova with 11 points apiece and Jorge Barajas with 10 points in Mexico’s second victory in the event. On Chile’s side, scoring double figures was Vicente Parraguirre with 15 points, all in attacks, Tomas Parraguirre with 13 points , Simon Guerra with 12 and Dusan Bonacic with 11 points.
On the other hand, Tunisia won the survival battle against Algeria 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 26-24, 25-21) keeping their Olympic dream alive. Tunisia held a huge advantage in blocking (14-7) and scoring on more attacks (53-44). Miladi Ben topped Tunisia’s scorers with 15 points on 14 attacks and one block. Also joining forces to keep Tunisia alive was Hichem Kaabi with 14 points on 11 attacks, two blocks and one ace, and Ahmed Kadhi with 11 points on 6 attacks and a match-high of 5 blocks.
Algeria was supported in the match with top scorer Akram Dekkiche with 21 points on 20 attacks and one block; also with double figures, Soufiane Hosni and Islam Ould with 11 and 14 points respectively.
Top Scorer by Day
16 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
22 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Chile on June 4
Top Scoring Performances
22 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Chile on June 4
21 - Akram Dekkiche of Algeria v Tunisia on June 4
16 – Paul Carroll of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
Top Individual Serving Performances
4 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
Top Team Serving Performances
4 – Mexico v Chile on June 4
4 – Algeria v Tunisia on June 4
Top Individual Blocking Performances
5 – Daniel Vargas of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
Top Team Blocking Performances
14 – Mexico v Algeria on June 3
14 – Tunisia v Algeria on June 4
Highest Scoring Set
26-24 – Tunisia v Algeria (Set 3) on June 4
Highest Scoring Match
187 – Mexico v Chile 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22) on June 4