Host India did not disappoint its home crowd as it captured a 25-11, 25-15, 25-13 victory over Tunisia on Friday evening on the opening day of the 2009 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship (U-21) being held July 31-Aug. 9 at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, India.
The victory celebration led into an elaborate Opening Ceremony involving all 16 teams competing at the two venues. The dignitaries included several key government officials from Maharashtra and Pune.
Despite the short three-set victory, India had four players score at least seven points topped by captain Mandeep Singh’s 12 points. Singh Gurinder and Jacob Manidurai Naveen Raja both turned in 10 points for India. Girigoud Sangamanath Somnath tallied a match-high five blocks as part of a nine-point performance.
Mohamed Ali Saada and captain Ismail Moalla provided Tunisia five points in the loss, while three other players recorded four points.
India won virtually every category during the match with a 10-0 block advantage and 6-0 margin in aces. India also benefited from 25 Tunisia errors.
Tunisia Head Coach Karray Hedi: Tunisia Captain Ismail Moalla: India Head Coach M.H. Kumara: India Captain Mandeep Singh:
“India is a good, good team and their attack is very strong.”
“India is a strong team with a good service game and that was part of the difference.”
“We will be facing strong teams from three different continents in the first round – today versus an African team, tomorrow versus a good Belarus team and Sunday against one of NORCECA’s top teams in United States. Today, we may have played our best performance. But we will need to prepare for Belarus’ strong block tomorrow.”
“Our blockers played well today and created advantages for us.”
