Egypt opened its FIVB Men’s World Championship campaign with its stunner over World No. 15 Iran in the FIVB World Championship Sunday, Sept. 14.
Elhossiny Eissa was still gasping for air when he faced reporters at the MOA Arena in Pasay Sunday, Sept. 14.
Eissa was fresh from steering Egypt to a 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 upset over world No. 15 Iran in the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
The 24-year-old spiker finished with 17 points, none bigger than the block on Iranian ace Ali Hajipour MoghadDam FaroUji that gave the Egyptians a 21-18 buffer in the fourth set.
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“It was a very tough game from the first point to the last point,” said Eissa, whose team is ranked No. 20.
“Since we know we're playing Iran, we’ve been managing everything to stop their strongest point and play on their weakest point.”
To be able to achieve that, Eissa drew help from his teammates.
Ahmed Shafik poured in 18 points, including a block and an ace, while Seifeldin Hassan Aly added 12 points.
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The Pharaohs recovered from a sloppy second set to win their opening match in their ninth consecutive appearance in the World Championship.
They will next face host team Alas Pilipinas Tuesday, Sept. 16.
“The coach did everything to do this. Hopefully, the team did it right, in the best way,” Eissa said.
“So I want to congratulate every player, every coach, all the Egyptians who watched the game. It’s a very good game for us. I hope we continue on this level.”
Meanwhile, Hajipour paced Iran with 17 points, highlighted by three blocks, but there was little he could do to stage a resistance in the final two sets.
His service error in the fourth frame cost Iran the game.
Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah had three aces on his way to 12 points.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.