Guatemala beat Nicaragua in medal hunt

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, July 27, 2012 – Guatemala swept Nicaragua in consecutive sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-18) as the action kicked off in the NORCECA Men’s Pool H FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament on Friday.

The match took place at Gimnasio Nacional of La Sabana and lasted 1 hour and seventeen minutes. Jeyson Nery topped the scores of Guatemala with 13 points followed by Andy Leonardo and Jorge Gomez with 8 and 7 respectively. Nicaragua’s David Mayorga and Lester Martinez finished with 8 points apiece.

Guatemala’s José Alfredo Gonzalez commented: “Things came out in our favor. We have a good team. Little by little we were getting into our game, we respected the rival and are moving forward because the level in Central America always has been pretty evened.”

Nicaragua’s captain Jorge Toledo stated: “The Guatemalan team is always strong. We missed a little of our real game because we didn’t play up to our top level.”

Guatemala’s coach Alvinzi Pelaez who last had coached in 2005 assured he knew the key to cause damage to Nicaragua. “The victory is a confidence builder. We kept the rhythm of play. The goal of qualification has been attained. This was a match we had to win, even though adverse results can happen. It was fundamental to start winning and now the only thing is to know what will be the color of our medal,” Pelaez said.

Nicaragua’s Lester Martinez it was an interesting match. “Guatemala is a very strong technically and physically. They have good height. The boys made their effort, but our attack really failed but we must continue the battle.”