Marco Ferreira (5) Portugal reacts after spiking the ball
Saskatoon, Canada, June 25, 2016 - Portugal beat Korea in straight sets (25-23, 28-26, 25-23) in Pool F2 match at the World League 2016 benefiting from match-high 17 points scored by Marco Ferreira.
It was Korea’s movement offence versus Portugal’s ‘whatever it takes’ for a point attitude in the second match of this Saturday in Saskatoon, Canada. Set one found both teams working hard for every point. Portugal opened up a lead making fewer unforced errors than the Koreans and taking the chippy points when they needed them leading 16-12 at the second technical time out of the set. Korea settled their offence down and closed the gap by moving Portugal’s block around, but Portugal persevered and won the set 25-23.
In set two, injuries and momentum swings were the story as both teams had players go down in pain, while teams traded point runs. Portugal found a way to get things done leading 8-4 and 16-13 at the technical time outs. Korea was not going to go down easily and closed Portugal’s leads each time late in the set and eventually tied the set at 24. Portugal seemed to find another gear at the end scoring on a Marco Ferreira cross court kill to take the lead, 27-26; and Joao Oliveira and Fabricio Silva combined for a big double block to win the set, 28-26.
A relaxed Portuguese team took to the court in set three against a Korean team determined to not go quietly. The set featured a handful of fun rallies and spectacular digs thrilling the audience. Korea opened up a lead, and at the first technical time out was up 8-5. However, Portugal did not fold and closed eventually leading 16-15 at the second technical time out. The teams traded points and the lead as the set progressed with ties each point from 18 through 23. However, two consecutive aces later by Marco Ferreira and Portugal wins the set, and the match, three sets to none (25-23, 28-26, 25-23) over Korea.