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DURANGO, Mexico, August 22, 2021.- Canada won a
berth for the FIVB 2022 World Championship and
will face Puerto Rico for the Men’s NORCECA
Continental Championship title after beating
Mexico 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-18) in semifinals
at Durango, Mexico.
Canada are seeking to win their second title in
the history of the event, they won in 2015 also
here in Mexico, but in Cordoba, while Puerto
Rico has never been atop podium finisher.
Mexico had little opportunities to respond from
Canada’s sharp execution in a match that lasted
a little over an hour (1:17). Canada was strong
from start to finish, progressing into the title
match with 9-3 margin in blocks and 8-1
effective service points; they also held a 29-27
advantage in attacks and committed fewer errors
than Mexico (26-29).
Middle blocker Danny Demyanenko led Canada with
11 points and outside hitter Brandon Koppers
followed with 10 points; Mathias Elser topped in
aces with 6 points.
Opposite Diego González scored 9 points as
Mexico’s leading scorer all in kills, middle
blocker Axel Tellez contributed with 7 points
and outside hitter Jorge Hernández chipped in
with 6 points.
Larry McKay, Coach of Canada: “Our staff did a
lot of work to prepare, they were very
knowledgeable about Mexico’s stats and they did
a very good job. The players deserve a lot of
the credit for playing well”.
Brett Walsh, Captain of Canada: “It was a good
match for us, everybody that played today made
big contributions and we made the right
decisions at the right time. Our biggest
difference was our service pressure, we just put
the ball in their court and made them play a lot
more than our previous match against them; our
block did a good job as well. A final is always
a fun game to play and you never know who’s
going to be, we’re going to show up with the
same energy as today and give it our best shot
and try to win”.
Jorge Azair, Coach of Mexico: “Canada adjusted
well, they served really well, and they served
like they had never done before, many in zone 5.
We had some attacking errors in the first set
and lost our confidence; I consider it natural
because most of the players are young. We must
work, we must earn points in ranking, the
possibility of qualifying the World Championship
is still there and tomorrow we will battle for
bronze”. |
