Costa Rica remains undefeated after beating El Salvador

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, October 31, 2019 - Costa Rica remains undefeated in three games by beating 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-17) to El Salvador, in the XIII Men's U19 Central American Championship.

The Costa Rican team was led by Captain Dowshel Smith with 19 points, 14 per attack, three in block and two "ace", being unstoppable against the Salvadoran block because of its great reach in the network. With 12 left Harold Rodríguez and 8 of Alejandro Chavarría. For El Salvador, Gustavo Ortiz was left with 7.

Costa Rica´s attack was superior 36-17 as well as in blocking 11-7 and services 7-1, committing 15 errors, to 21 of their opponents.

Smith said that “the team of El Salvador is strong, we didn’t get over confidents, we kept a very good attitude and now we go with the next game. The reception was good, you could play a lot and there were good attacks. ”

Alejandro Chavarría, Costa Rica's leading player: “We started somehow slow, but then we build up the attitude and we were able to get the win. I felt very comfortable, since we went out to warm up I felt calmer, without nerves. Every day we train the receipt and I think that helped us today.”

Alberto Blanco, coach of Costa Rica: “We had a little more problems in the center, the Salvadoran team worked very well out there, and we were too relaxed at times, we have to talk to the boys today, I don't know if they feel superior, because the idea is to go up as the tournament progresses. We come with the expectation of winning the tournament and they are seeing that possible, but they should not relax.”

Costa Rica will face Nicaragua this Friday at 7:30 p.m., while El Salvador will play Belize at 3:00 p.m.