Brazil men's volleyball wins over Canada in World League

Updated：2007-06-16 From：Xinhuanet

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil men's volleyball team on Friday overcame the Canadians 3-0 in a match of the intercontinental round of the FIVB World League.

The game was held in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, and it was the third one played by the team as hosts. Last weekend, Brazil beat South Korea 3-0 in two matches in Sao Paulo.

The Brazilian squad scored the first two points on Friday. Murilo Endres and Rodrigo Santana blocked the Canadian attack, and setter Bruno Resende's service hit the adversary’s court again.

Such beginning seemed to break the visitors balance, and Canada missed seven services only in the first set, which led head coach Glenn Hoag to demand a break. Brazil got to open a 6-point lead, but ended the set at 25-21.

The second set was more equilibrated. Canada's Winters and Cundy were the most efficient players in their squad, and Brazil's middle blocker Gustavo Endres and hitter Samuel Fuchs had the peak of their performances in the set.

However, Resende took the opportunity to show that he was on his way to be the best player in court, by setting the ball with one hand and blocking, as if he ignored the fact he was the shortest player in his team.

Anderson Rodrigues closed the set 25-20 with a hit that managed to pass through Canada's triple block.

Brazilians got to open a 14-6 lead in the third set. Canada closed the game with another service error, taking the score to 25-13. Rodrigues was the game's top scorer, with 14 points.

The two national teams will meet again on Saturday. If another victory takes place on the home side, and South Korea beats Finland, the Brazilians will ensure their participation in the final round two weeks in advance.

Brazil's head coach Bernardo Resende revealed that he plans to draft an almost entirely different roster for the next game against Canada. According to him, only two players will remain in the team, and one of them will be libero Alan Domingos.