Egypt beats Japan in FIVB U-23 Volleyball World Cup

19 August 2017: Egypt opened their participation in the FIVB U-23 Volleyball World Cup with a 4-3 victory over Japan after a tough game. The Egyptian team’s performance satisfied Egyptian fans who packed Cairo Stadium to support the team.

Egypt won the first and the second sets 15-10, 15-13, respectively, before Japanese players returned to the game to win the third set 15-12.

The Egyptian team won the fourth set 15-8 to be very close to winning the game, but Japan returned to win the fifth and the sixth sets 15-9 and 15-13, so the game went to the seventh set, which Egypt won 15-10.

Egypt plays in Group A alongside Cuba, Mexico, Poland, Japan and Brazil, while the other Arab nation in the tournament, Algeria, plays in Group B alongside China, Iran, Argentina, Turkey and the reigning champion, Russia.

Egyptian coach Marcos Miranda’s chosen squad for the tournament is made up of Ahmed Saber ‘Fatouta’, Ahmed al-Ashry, Hisham Yusry, Omar Saleh, Mohamed Ramadan, Mohamed Mohsen, Ahmed Osama, Abdul Rahman Saudi, Abu al-Said al-Sayed, Ahmed Diaa, Saad Mohsen and Ahmad Galal.

Egypt has participated in the competition since its inception in 2013. The team participated in the two former editions in Brazil and UAE, achieving 9th place in both editions.

Brazil won the first competition in 2013, beating Serbia in the final, while Russia won the second edition, beating Turkey in the final.

Cairo is hosting the third edition of the FIVB U-23 Volleyball World Cup from August 18-25, 2017 in Cairo Stadium halls complex 1 and 2. Twelve teams will participate in the competition.