29-Nov, start time: 12:35, end time: 14:19 - Attendance: 1,210

VEN	1	21	25	20	21	-	87
CAN	3	25	23	25	25	-	98

Match Description:

Canada Triumph against Venezuela
Canada stole vital ground on Venezuela in the World Cup standings when they defeated them 3-1 at Site B in Tokyo. Both teams entered the game with three wins, but it was the Canadians who improved their win-loss ratio to 4-6 after a 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21 victory.

Canada enjoyed a strong start courtesy of Jason Haldane, who produced a consecutive spike and ace to give his side an early lead. They maintained an advantage for the remainder of the set despite powerful offense from Venezuela captain Ernardo Gomez and Carlos Luna. Fred Winter was also impressive for Canada as they secured the opening set, while Venezuela's chances were hindered by an ankle injury to Gomez when they were trailing 18-22.

Venezuela had struggled to apply service pressure in the opening set and continued making service errors in the second. They coped well in the absence of Gomez and were never more than two points behind until two mistakes, one off a serve, saw them fall 14-17 behind. Ivan Marquez and Thomas Ereu were then prominent in a fight back that saw them secure six straight points, four of them gifted by Canadian mistakes, to level the match.

It remained tight in the third. There was little between the teams until a spike and block from Murray Grapentine, followed by a Venezuela net infringement, moved Canada three ahead at 23-30. Two powerful serves from Ruette allowed Canada to easily see out the set.

More powerful serving from Steve Brinkman saw Canada take an immediate lead in the fourth, Grapentine taking advantage of the pressured Venezuela receivers. But consecutive blocks from Ronald Mendez, Fredy Cedeno and Carlos Blanco reduced their 10-5 lead. But Canada always looked in control, with Grapentine outstanding as they saw out the match.

Comments:

DEROCCO, Stelio (CAN Head Coach)
" It was a great match. As this tournament is coming to an end, it was a very important game. I'm very happy on my side that they didn't serve very well. It's a great feeling and we can look forward to the next game against Korea."

HALDANE, Jason (CAN Player)
" We capitalized on their serving, which did not go very well. We focused the whole entire game. It was a very important game, and we are very happy winning this game."

CAMBERO, Miguel (VEN Head Coach)
" I think Canada are a good team and well prepared. Although I am sorry that Gomez got injured during the match, it was a very good experience for other team members to take responsibility without the captain and the ace player. "

LUNA, Carlos (VEN Player)
" I think it was a very difficult match. We did not serve well throughout the match and did not get better. The result was disappointing."

Official Result:

Match statistics (P-2) - PDF