Naarden inches Suriname closer gold medal match

PARAMARIBO,  Suriname, Saturday June 15, 2013 -  Gino Naarden led hosts Suriname past Martinique in a clash of unbeaten teams, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) to inch closer to clinching a spot in the gold medal match of their second round NORCECA Men’s Group M qualifiers for the 2014 FIVB World Volleyball Championship in Poland, at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sporthal.

Naarden tallied 16 points, 11 of which were spikes, four blocks and one service ace while Marc Flu added ten, in the 72 minute victory backed by a vociferous home crowd to improve to maximum ten points at the top of the four-team table, and within a set win in its final match against Guatemala of reaching the final.

The host who also got nine points apiece from  Clyde Fraser and captain Roberto Frits Joval, as well as eight from Antoine Verny  Vliet also dominated in the key scoring aspects of the match,  40-22 on spikes, 13-3 on blocks and 2-1 on aces to make amends for its numerous errors, 31 to Martinique’s 20.

On the other hand, Martinique failed to rediscover its form from the morning session win over Guatemala with none of its players getting into double-figure scoring, five each from  captain David Lefaivre and Aymeric Christine, the best as their team stayed on five points, the same as Guatemala, ahead of Sunday morning final preliminary round of matches.

At the end of the preliminary round of matches the top two will contest the gold medal match, for the lone automatic spot to the third round while the two other teams play for bronze

A disappointed Lefaivre commenting after the match noted the game was a good one but his team could not sustain its high level of play because of problems with their physical shape.

Joval  said he was glad that his team had accomplish another win to move within reach of getting to the final.

“Just like the first match, we had a great start and our defence was much better in this match as well.

Looking ahead to his team’s final round-robin match with Guatemala, the Suriname captain was quick to state it will be a tough contest.

“Guatemala has to win to have a chance at qualifying, so we know it not be easy, but we will be ready,” ended Joval.

Eddy Erialc, the Martinique coach was not a happy camper and noted that his team made the match easier for Suriname because of its poor service game.

“We did not serve well and this made it easier for Suriname to pass the ball and it did not help that there setter had a very good match.

Jerry Slijngard, coach of Suriname was in agreement that his team played a good match which he expected to be harder than its first one against Anguilla.

“It was very important with the points system for wins that we got the victory in three sets as well to inch closer to qualify for the finals.

“We are still not there as yet as we have another tough match to play against Guatemala, one that they have to win to have a chance of qualifying for the final.

“So just we did for this match, we will plan well for our next opponent and hope to execute our game plan to perfection.