Egypt need to beat USA on Monday to have any hope of reaching the semifinals |
Singapore, Singapore, August 22, 2010 - The Democratic Republic of Congo and Iran will look to cause an upset when they come up against Volleyball powerhouses Russia and Cuba respectively in the Youth Olympic Games Volleyball Boy's event at Toa Payoh Sports Hall on Monday.
The Cubans and Russians have been in dominant form so far in the competition. On Sunday, the Caribbean side completed a three-game defeat of Argentina, while the Europeans downed strongly-favoured Serbia 25-17, 25-20, 25-12.
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"It should be easy, but we won't be underestimating Iran,'' said Leon Wilfredo, who joined Cuba men's national team when he was 14.
The Iranians rely on team play, but they do not have anyone who matches Wilfredo - who scored 28 points against Argentina - for individual talent.
"Apart from Leon [Wilfredo], the rest of the boys are inexperienced,'' said coach Rodolfo Sanchez. "Besides, we haven't played together for the last five months and are a little rusty, so it won’t be easy for us."
In the girls' competition, Japan takes on Peru with both sides looking for a second straight win.
"Peru girls are stronger and taller than my girls," said coach Uehara Norihito (JAP). "We will have to play with greater speed and employ a variety of attacking combinations."
Japan's girls will look to repeat the strong service game they employed in their straight games win over Singapore on Sunday.
"We watched Singapore's game against Peru. I realised the team stood too far to the back of the court. My strategy was to hit the ball near the front court, which made things tough for them," said Ichikawa Chizu, who topscored for Japan with 22 points.
Egypt play the United States in Monday's other match.
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