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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, September 1, 2015.-
Guatemala defeated Costa Rica 3-1 (21-25, 25-15, 25-15, 30-28)
in a thrilling battle at the Men’s U-21 Central American
Championship.
Guatemala remains unbeaten with 4-0 record, 18 points and in
first place; Costa Rica drops their record 3-1 and has 13
points.
It was an intense battle from the beginning, with fast plays
where Guatemala seemed unstoppable and an early five point lead.
Costa Rica improved in blocking and waited for Guatemala’s
errors that came fast and tied the actions 17-17; from there on
Costa Rica controlled the set 25-21.
In the second set, Guatemala held advantage again and was always
in the lead; after the second technical time-out Guatemala held
a 7 point advantage with strong kills and stopped Costa Rica’s
offensive line with effective blocking and winning 25-15.
Guatemala remained fast and power in the third set, Costa Rica
had defense errors making it easier for Guatemala to keep on top
13-5. Guatemala won again 25-15. Costa Rica took more risks in
serving in the fourth set and held a 5-3 advantage; but
Guatemala´s kills managed to work again and kept the score
tight, no team was controlling the actions; Costa Rica’s
blocking was working well. Guatemala missed five set points
before winning 30-28.
Outside Hitter Carlos Lopez of Guatemala topped all scorers with
22 points; joined by Outside Hitter Wagner Chacon with 18 points
and Opposite Erik Flores with 16. Setter Luis Padilla led Costa
Rica with 17 points; Jason Brown, Kevin Hidalgo and Oscar
Ramirez added 9 points each.
Guatemala neutralized Costa Rica with better spiking (54-46) and
blocking (12-9); they were equally effective in aces (2-2), and
in errors they were similar, Guatemala with 27 and Costa Rica
with 33.
Captain Erik Flores of Guatemala said “we weren’t able to study
Costa Rica because they never used the same line-up in previous
matches and we lacked concentration. We worked hard, united and
with our hearts to finish on top”.
Captain Walter Serrano of Costa Rica said “Guatemala plays fast
and strong, it wasn’t an easy match. Our blocking was effective
only in the first and fourth sets, that’s why it was easier for
them to win the second and third”.
Coach Reider Lucas of Guatemala indicated “Costa Rica is well
prepared in tactics and techniques; they also have height and
good physical condition, that is why we had to use all our
resources to win. It was a tense battle from start to finish and
we are lucky to have won”.
Coach Cesar Salas of Costa Rica expressed “we are all sad, this
was the match we prepared for and worked so hard; to win you
most solve before and during the game. I was able to use Marco
and Oscar, but leaving aside if they performed well or not, the
game was determined over the net. We failed in our receiving in
the second and third sets, and the team had lots of energy and
effective blocking in the first and fourth sets”. |
