MATCH INFO
Brazil edges USA and will play for 9th place in Almirante Brown
Flavio sealed the second set for the Brazilian side
Almirante Brown, Argentina, August 27, 2011 - Brazil booked its ticket for the 9th place final after working against USA through four sets (25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-16). The six-time champions earned their fourth win in a row, all of them after falling in the bottom half of the tournament.
Brazil was led by Alan Souza and Jonatas Cardoso, with 15 and 13 points respectively. Joao Ferreira and Henrique Batagim shared the role as the other outside hitter, charting 11 and 10 points. In the losing side, both Austin Kingi and the injured Matthew Tarantino scored 13 tallies.
The match started very tied, but Brazil broke free with Leandro Santos, to 8-5. The South Americans kept the advantage, with Alan joining Leandro as leaders, and they reached the second TTO 16-10. Tarantino scored four points but USA couldn't change the tide. Brazil won the set 25-20 with an amazing spike by Alan.
Tarantino and Cody Caldwell carried the team to the first pause 8-7 with their power in spiking. Aaron Russell worked hard to enhanced the lead to 16-13, but after the break Brazil came back stronger. Santos was the key player to shorten the difference and, in a furious rush, a great spike of Flavio Gualberto closed the deal 25-23.
USA started leading once more, guided by Russell and Tarantino, and this time the Americans weren't going to drop the lead. Gregory Petty also performed well to achieve a 16-13 score, and Brazil tried to stay on track with Joao Ferreira, but it was useless. In the final moments of the set, Tarantino suffered a shoulder injury and still was able to notch the set en 25-23.
However, the American opposite had to left the court and Brazil was relentless to lead 8-5. Brazil used Jonatas to speed up the ending towards a 16-11 score. Henrique Batagim went back onto the field and contributed to the winning cause. Finally, Russell failed on blocking the Brazilian attack and the match wrapped up in 25-16.
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