Abd Elnaeim (left) of Egypt spikes against Rivera Victor, Esteves and Soto (PUR)
Egypt
vs
Puerto Rico
3
-
2
Saitama, Japan, November 18, 2006: Egypt recovered from two sets down to beat Puerto Rico 3-2 in Pool A on Saturday.
The Egyptians formed a circle and danced in delight after coming back to beat Puerto Rico 27-29, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12 for their first win and a 1-1 record. Puerto Rico dropped to 1-1 after beating Argentina in five sets the previous day.
Egypt held a two-point advantage at the second TTO of the first set, but Puerto Rico pulled level 20-20 thanks to some fiery left-handed spikes from Jose Rivera and a Hector Soto block on Saleh Youssef.
Puerto Rico held the edge in the closing stages, but missed chances to seal the first set when leading 24-23 and 25-24, the latter thanks to an excellent block on Soto by Youssef.
Then it was Egypt's turn to miss two set points at 26-25 and 27-26, before Soto brought up Puerto Rico's third set point at 28-27 with an opportunistic spike at the net following a poor serve reception. On this occasion Puerto Rico made no mistake, as captain Luis Rodriguez rejected Mohamed Elnafrawy's attack at the net, 29-27.
Soto, who came into the match with 38 points from Friday's defeat of Argentina, led his team again with nine in the first set, followed by lefty Rivera on six.
Egypt's own southpaw spiker, Ahmed Abd Elnaeim, replied with six, closely followed by Youssef and Elnafrawy with five apiece.
The unlucky Egyptians looked a bit disheartened on the resumption, and pumped-up Puerto Rico cashed in by building an early lead. When Victor Rivera blazed another winner from the left past a two-man Egyptian block, the Central Americans led 16-9 at the second TTO and were well on course to take the second set.
Trailing 20-11, Egypt clawed their way back. Mohamed Gabal tipped one over the net, Youssef struck on the left wing and Mahmoud Elkoumy blocked to keep the pressure on Puerto Rico.
Ashraf Abouel Hassan then caught out the Puerto Rico defence with a well-disguised, well-flighted service ace to the front court. The Puerto Ricans were too far ahead, though, and Rene Esteves closed out the second set 25-19 for 2-0.
The teams stayed close in the third set, and Egypt's luck may have changed when a serve from lefty Elnaeim struck the net cord and bobbled over to give his team a two-point advantage, 16-14, at the second TTO.
Puerto Rico were struggling to hold their attacking rhythm, and a mistake from Jose Rivera gave Egypt a three-point cushion at 21-18. When Elnaeim made it 22-19 with a blistering, angled spike from the right, Puerto Rico called a TO.
Despite the efforts of Soto, Egypt had the momentum and won the third set 25-21. Elnaeim brought up set point with a trademark winner down the middle, and a strong serve from Youssef did the rest.
Egypt came out for the fourth set with renewed vigour and confidence, whereas Puerto Rico had gone quiet and were still in a state of malaise and failing to end the match in three.
The Egyptians blocked and attacked with all their might, and Elnaeim took them into the first technical break with a four-point lead thanks to a crashing winner from the right at the top of his leap that drew gasps and applause from the neutral fans.
Youssef was also playing a major part in the revival, and Elnaeim thundered another right-wing winner for 16-14 at the second TTO. An agile set by Hassan teed up Ossama Bekheit for a clean winner at the net, and Egypt powered on to take the fourth set 25-20 for 2-2 when Puerto Rico's serving collapsed. Soto had been removed from the attack with his team down 21-17, such was the changing complexion of the match.
Soto was back for the tie-break, though, following his rest. Indeed, the whole team looked refreshed and jumped out to a 3-0 lead, forcing an Egypt TO.
Behind some whistling serves from Elnaeim and a fine block by Hassan on Victor Rivera, Egypt led 8-5 at the turnaround. Elnafrawy at the net and captain Hamdy Awad on the left extended Egypt's lead to 11-7, forcing a Puerto Rico TO, and Bekheit rose at the net to hammer home a loose ball on the restart, 12-7.
Soto and sub Alexis Matias won the next four points between them to close the gap to 12-11, but Egypt skipper Awad ended the skid with a huge blow on the left for 13-11. On match point at 14-12, a slow serve from Awad caused confusion and ended the match, 15-12 and 3-2 Egypt.
