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Guatemala scores victory over El Salvador

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, November 1st 2021. – Guatemala scored a victory over El Salvador 3-1 (25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23) in the closing match of day three at the XXI Men’s Central American Cup at Guatemala’s City Dome.

 

Current champion and host Guatemala controlled the first set with authority and in the second had more resistance from El Salvador but still remaining on top by two sets. With persistency, El Salvador edged Guatemala always keeping the scores really close to extend the match to a thrilling fourth set that ended with an ace by opposite hitter Andy Leonardo.

 

Guatemala held a 57-45 advantage in kills, a Slim 12-11 in blocks and a comfortable 9-1 margin in serves. El Salvador committed fewer errors than Guatemala (20-26).

 

Andy Leonardo with 21 points, outside hitter Gerardo González with 19 and captain Carlos López with 16 led the hosts’ victory. Outside hitter Franklin Flores of El Salvador scored a match-high of 26 points; his teammate and captain Rodrigo Chávez added 14 points in his team’s loss.

 

 

On Tuesday, El Salvador (3-1) meets Costa Rica (2-0) at 4:00pm and Guatemala (2-0) against Nicaragua (2-0).

 

Reider Lucas, Head coach of Guatemala: “El Salvador played really well and I congratulate them. Guatemala failed in some things that we can work on, this is our first game, we would of liked to win the 5 points, but we think we can recover. Our hands performance was good and we will work on our blocking, mostly on the ends of the net”.

Mario Nochez, Head coach of El Salvador: “We fought up to the end, we´re coming with more rhythm and we were forced to push. We took advantage that this was Guatemala’s first match; we were a bit lazy in the first two sets, but our change in tactics worked out well. We are satisfied, we are glad with our guys’ performance; they are the host (Guatemala) and current champions”.