The response to the scare came quickly and efficiently. Once again facing a more fragile rival, Brazil did not leave room for surprises. This Wednesday, the team dominated Puerto Rico and reached their fourth victory in the Pre-Olympic, in Tokyo. In 3 sets to 0, partial 25/21, 25/15 and 25/9, the team secured the triumph and remained firm in search of one of the two places at stake for the Paris Olympics.
Brazil will not play this Thursday. Then, it’s on to the final stretch of the Pre-Olympic. On Friday, perhaps the biggest challenge: the team faces Turkey at 4 am, Brasília time. They take on Belgium on Saturday, at the same time, and close the competition against Japan, on Sunday, at 7:25 am. All games will be broadcast on sportv2.
1 of 2 Brazil celebrates a point against Puerto Rico — Photo: Divulgação Brazil celebrates a point against Puerto Rico — Photo: Divulgação
1st set – Brazil imposes itself and takes the lead
Puerto Rico also wanted to complicate the selection process in Tokyo. Hoping to go even further than Bulgaria, they took a 2-0 lead at the start of the match. But Brazil didn’t take long to take control of the game. New to the starting lineup alongside Diana, Rosamaria made the team score 12/8. The team was paying attention at that point. A little further ahead, the same Rosamaria increased the difference to 15/9 with a ball stuck at the bottom of the court.
Brazil seemed to be heading towards a quiet victory in the first set, with 20/13 on the scoreboard, but Puerto Rico threatened to react at the hands of the opposite Abercrombie. The Caribbean team made the difference fall to 21/17, and Zé Roberto called time out. The team still gave up some points, but closed with a service error from Ortiz: 25/21.
2nd set – Brazil dominates and leads to victory
Rivals were not discouraged. Just like in the first set, they started ahead and scored 4/2. At the bank, Paulo Coco, Zé’s assistant, warned: “You can’t let this (advantage) open.” On the court, the players went to get it. On Thaisa’s block, 4/4. Further ahead, the two-time Olympic champion scored 7/5 with two consecutive aces. Diana, another highlight of the team, also scored twice in a row to open 10/6.
But Puerto Rico pulled over and reduced the difference to 12/10. And the game against Bulgaria showed how dangerous this can be. After accelerating again, Brazil took the reins again. On Diana’s ace, the second in three points, the team scored 18/10. There was no longer any room for changing course. Thaisa, with another block, Brazil’s best foundation in the game, scored 23/12. There was still time for Zé to send Kisy and Naiane to the court. In the end, it was the opposite team who closed the set: 25/15.
2 of 2 Diana, one of the highlights of the game, attacks for Brazil — Photo: Disclosure Diana, one of the highlights of the game, attacks for Brazil — Photo: Disclosure
3rd set – Brazil accelerates and closes the score
Brazil remained firm, despite the advantage. By not leaving room for a possible reaction from Puerto Rico, he scored 10/4 in an attack by Julia Bergmann. The rivals did not threaten much, it is true. But the team did its job without any scares. In Diana’s blockade, 6/14 with peace of mind. The central defender remained one of the team’s biggest highlights. With an ace, she scored 21/8. From then on, it was just a matter of maintaining the pace: 25/9, in an attack by Julia Bergmann.
2023-09-20 08:10:11
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