TREAT ’EM LIKE ROYALTY
Egypt took down the higher-ranked Iran, 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, to kick off its Pool A campaign in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
And though the African squad will next face a much lower-seeded opponent, the team is not letting its guard down.
“It will be a very, very difficult match,” Egypt’s Italian coach, Marco Bonitta, said.
Might be an exaggeration considering the Pharaohs will next face off against World Championship first-timer Alas Pilipinas on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
But Bonitta has reasons to feel a little guarded despite the disparity in world ranking. Egypt is ranked 20th in the world as of Sunday, while the Philippines is at No. 85.
“[T]he Philippines was a little bit nervous in the first and second sets (against Tunisia), but they played very well starting the third set,” Bonitta said. “I’m sure that the level of the Philippine team [in the third set] is what they show us in the first set so it would be very very tough match.”
The Egyptians also haven’t really thought much about that match just yet.
“We have no time to think about the next game. Normally, we have to think only about the matchday, and today we did a great job,” Bonnita told reporters.
Bonitta, who will have a chess match against fellow Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, will prepare his wards hard for the match against the host Philippines, which lost in straight sets to the 11-time African champions.
Ahmed Shafik, who led Egypt’s strong start with 18 points, agreed with his coach, saying that Alas is a good team and they should stay focused on their goal of topping the Pool A.
“We are so satisfied. We are successful. It’s normal to win, we played very, very well. It’s a good step for us, we want to lead the pool and qualify as first place,” he said.
Abdelrhman Elhossiny, who dropped 17 points against Iran, is enjoying his first competition in Manila, but he is bracing for an intense duel with Alas.
“It’s my first time in the Philippines. So I didn’t expect to see this. Everything is perfect here. Since we stay in the hotel, until we leave, until we come here,” said Elhossiny.
“This is a very good experience to play in a court full of people. I hope to keep winning. The Philippines has very good players. Also, the coach, I know him. He’s a very good coach. He’s been on top for a long time.”
Seifeldin Hassan Aly anticipates a massive homecourt advantage, playing against the Philippines.
“It will be tough for sure that we will play the Philippines. We will prepare very, very well because we’re here in Pilipinas with their fans but we will deal with it,” said Hassan after delivering 12 points.
Iran dropped its first game, eyeing its first win against opening day winner Tunisia also on Tuesday before battling Alas on Thursday.
Ali Hajipour and Poriya Hossein led the Iranians with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
