Lausanne, May 25, 2009 - The road to the finals of the
2010 Men’s FIVB World Championship got shorter for some and stopped altogether
for others during Round 3 this weekend in Jamaica and Chinese Taipei.
Three teams progressed to the next stage of Volleyball's
premier global competition with stellar play in their respective pools.
In Kingston, Jamaica, the Mexican National Team
steamrolled all rivals to top NORCECA Pool D undefeated. Bahamas, which
finished 3-1, placed second to book the other berth available in the next
round.
Expertly coached by veteran tactician Jorge Azair, Mexico
beat Haiti in the semifinals before crushing Bahamas in the finals. The
victorious Mexicans underscored their credentials by winning all four matches
at the competition in straight sets. Mexico will now move on to Pool G in
Puerto Rico in July, where it will play the hosts, Barbados and the
second-place team from Pool C.
"We are ready for the challenge," Azair said.
"Puerto Rico will be the biggest hurdle - the last time we faced them we
lost in five sets - but the chance to move on is a reality."
Bahamas will meet hosts Cuba, Canada and the winner of
Pool C in the third round.
The other men's team to take a step closer to the Final
Round of the 2010 FIVB Men's World Championship in Italy next fall was
Kazakhstan, which went undefeated in Asia Pool F against hosts Chinese Taipei,
UAE and Tongo.
NORCECA Pool D
1. Mexico 8 pts. (advances to Pool G in Puerto Rico)
2. Bahamas 7 pts. (Pool C in Cuba)
3. Jamaica 7 pts.
4. Haiti 5 pts.
5. St. Lucia 4 pts.
6. Cayman Islands 3 pts.
Asia Pool F
1. Kazakhstan 6 pts. (Pool H in Japan)
2. Chinese Taipei 5 pts.
3. UAE 4 pts.
4. Tongo 3 pts.