Mexico's celebration qualyfing to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games
Mexico City, Mexico, June 5, 2016- While losing the final match of the Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament against Tunisia at Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera, Mexico qualified to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
World Olympic Qualification Tournament websites:
Tunisia’s win over Mexico by 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 19-25, 20-18) was just enough for the home team making the final list to Rio. Chile on the other hand, beat Algeria 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23) and kept hoping for a survival result from the last match on Sunday.
The fans at Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera were on a quest of supporting their team from start to finish. Despite the loss, Mexico celebrated with mariachi music their 48 year drought of missing the Olympics.
In numbers, Tunisia and Mexico showed even stats. In blocks and serves they equally scored 13 and 5 points respectively. In spikes, Mexico held advantage 68-61; Tunisia scored on 33 Mexican errors and limited their own to 28.
Tunisian Hichem Kaabi was the best scorer of the match with 29 points, on 26 attacks and 3 blocks. Miladi Ben contributed with 19 points, while Ahmed Kadhi added 10 points. Mexico was led by several double figured scorers, Daniel Vargas topped with 23 points, followed by Carlos Guerra scored 17, Samuel Cordova 15 points, Jorge Vargas and Tomas Aguilera 11 apiece.
In the first match on Sunday between Chile and Algeria, the South Americans dominated their African opponent with superior 13-9 blocking advantage and 6-2 in service points.
Chile’s offence was led by a spectacular performance by Dusan Bonacic, scoring on a match-high of 29 points on 21 kills, 3 blocks and 5 impressive aces. Vicente Parraguirre joined the winning cause with 25 points on 24 kills and one block, and Tomas Parraguirre was the other double figure scorer with 12 points. Algeria’s topped with Akram Dekkiche and Islam Ould with 17 points apiece; Soufinae Hosni contributed with 15 points, Amine Oumessad with 12 points and Bouyoycef Sofiane with 10 points.
Top Scorer by Day16 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
22 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Chile on June 4
29 - Dusan Bonacic of Chile v Algeria on June 5
29 - Hichem Kaabi of Tunisia v Mexico on June 5
Top Scoring Performances29 - Hichem Kaabi of Tunisia v Mexico on June 5
29 - Dusan Bonacic of Chile v Algeria on June 5
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 Performances5 - Dusan Bonacic of Chile v Algeria on June 5
4- Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Chile on June 4
4 – Carlos Guerra of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
Top Team Serving Performances6 - Chile v Algeria on June 5
4 – Mexico v Chile on June 4
4 – Algeria v Tunisia on June 4
Top Individual Blocking Performances5 – Daniel Vargas of Mexico v Algeria on June 3
5 - Ahmed Kadhi of Tunisia v Algeria on June 4
4 - Mohamed Ali Ben Othmen Miladi of Tunisia v Mexico on June 5
Top Team Blocking Performances14 – Mexico v Algeria on June 3
14 – Tunisia v Algeria on June 4
13 - Chile v Algeria on June 5
13 - Tunisia v Mexico on June 5
13 - Mexico v Tunisia on June 5
Highest Scoring Set26-24 – Tunisia v Algeria (Set 3) on June 4
25-23 - Algeria v Chile (Set 1) on June 5
25-23 - Chile v Chile (Set 4) on June 5
25-23 - Mexico v Tunisia (Set 1) on June 5
25-23 - Tunisia v Mexico (Set 2) on June 5
25-23 - Tunisia v Mexico (Set 3) on June 5
Highest Scoring Match138 - Chile v Mexico 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-21) on June 3
187 – Mexico v Chile 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22) on June 4
226 - Tunisia v Mexico 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 19-25, 20-18) on June 5