CAIRO: The Egyptian football team’s not the only Egyptian national to log an important qualification win. Prior to Egypt’s sneaky 1-0 win in Rwanda on Saturday, the Egyptian national volleyball team logged an important win over Iran at the Cairo Stadium complex and will continue their campaign to qualify for the 2010 FiVB Men’s World League.
This win followed Egyptians defeated the Iranians on two consecutive nights of Pool B play. The Pharaohs beat the Iranian’s on September 4, 3-0 as by close scores of 25-22, 25-21, and 25-23.
The Egyptians were in full control of their destiny heading into the second evening of play. In particular setter Abdalla Abdelsalam exemplified himself with stellar play for Egyptians in the match.
On September 5, the Egyptians routed Iranian in the first set 25-18. Iran took an early lead as the Egyptians were perhaps nervous and started to make painful mistakes so close to clinching the win.
The Egyptians had to rely on their steady centers Abdelatif Othman and Rashad El-Desoky to rally. Egypt won this set 25-17. Having effectively clinched the win the team substituted in some bench players to finish of the match.
Despite this Egypt still won the final set 25-23 and the match 3-0.
The Pharaohs will now face Japan on September 18 and 19. Should the Pharoahs beat the Samurai they will qualify for the 2010 FiVB World League.
In recent years Egypt has become a regional volleyball powerhouse, routinely performing well at Arab, African and Mediterranean competitions. In 2005, Egypt became the first African nation to participate in the Volleyball World Grand Champions Cup and finished a surprising fifth.
While Egypt began campaigning in the FiVB World League in 2006, definitive success in this competition has been elusive.
