MATCH INFO

Hiroshima, Japan, November 6, 2011 – In the first match ever at an FIVB tournament between Argentina and Algeria, it was the South American vice-champions who took the honours in Hiroshima on Sunday 3-1 (25-18, 25-12, 20-25, 25-16).

For Argentina, ranked 20th in the world, and Algeria, 17th, there was plenty at stake and it was Argentina who took the crucial maximum three points on offer. Leading Argentina was their captain Emilce Sosa with 18, followed by the hard-hitting Lucia Fresco with 15. For Algeria, both Faiza Tsabet and Lydia Oulmou notched 14 points.

The opening set started as expected with the early moments proving to be a feeling out period, the teams tentatively exchanging points, until they arrived at 10-10 with a Paula Yamila Nizetich attack off the Algeria block. That seemed to light a fire under the Argentinians, with Florencia Carlotto attacking well to help her team ahead 18-13 prompting Algeria to call time. With the exception of a few attacking errors near the end they would go on to take the set relatively easily 25-18, punctuated with an ace from Antonela Curatola to close.

But the Algerians, the youngest side in the tournament on average, hung close to start the second set, trailing until Faiza Tsabet momentarily put them up 6-5 with a powerful kill. But as in the first, Argentina would pull away in style, thanks in large part to great attacking from Sosa and Fresco. They led Argentina on a brilliant run taking 14 of 15 points down the stretch to claim the set 25-12.

But their inconsistency was apparent again in the third set, relapsing with a choppy performance to start. Raissa Melinda Hennaoui took advantage for Algeria with an opportunistic spike and a spectacular block to give her squad a 12-8 edge. It was 19-14 when Argentinian coach Horacio Bastit called his team in to regroup. Subsequently Leticia Boscacci showed some spark off the bench with a pair of spikes, pulling Argentina within range at 21-18 but a clumsy reception on Algeria’s set point fittingly capped a clumsy period for the team. For the Algerians, taking the set 25-20, this was their first set won in the tournament.

The match was truly a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance, as the ‘good’ Argentina reappeared again to start the fourth. Fresco showed flashes of her potential with a number of furious attacks from out wide helping her team to a healthy lead at 15-7. A pair of spikes from Boscacci down the stretch helped Argentina close it out 25-16. It was a rocky performance at times with flashes of greatness, but overall there was no surprise that they looked very pleased to pick up their second win.

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