Jorge Barajas best scorer performance on Mexico's side wasn't enough to win with Tunisia
Tunis, Tunisia, June 24, 2016 - The hosting team closes first day in Tunis, winning with Mexico 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-18). Tunisia breaks its losing streak of six games.
Tunisia and Mexico know each other from the most recent rivalry at the WOQT in Mexico City, where Mexico clinched Olympic berth in a match against Tunisia. World League wise this is the third meeting between the team, with the last two played back in 2014, both claiming one victory in that edition. Both teams experienced losing streak, which finished for Mexico after last week's victory over Germany. Tunisia with six consecutive losses thus far breaks its own unlucky streak. Hichem Kaabi led the team, scoring 21 points, while Jorge Barajas was Mexico's star with 12.
Good start for Tunisia with 4-1 quickly turned into lead of Mexico at 9-7. Strong service on both sides kept the score quite balanced, with 16-15 for Tunisia at second TTO. Good passing on Tunisia's side let the team to play quick balls to go 19-16 ahead. Mexico closed the gap at 20-20, remaining calm in attack to take 23-21 and forcing Tunisia to call a time out. An ace closed the set in favour of Mexico 25-22.
Both teams keep each other close at Tunisia claims first lead 8-6. The advantage is kept until second TTO, stretched to 16-12 and maintained at 20-16. Mexico made a come back to 24-22, but had no response to Tunisia's play and the hosting team claimed the set 25-22.
Hosts opened the third set with a 2-0 and this was only the beginning as the team hit hard, forcing Mexico to call a time out already before a TTO, when Tunisia ran 7-2 ahead. No solutions were found on Mexico's side, letting Tunisia to carry on with a 14-6, 16-6 an 18-7. Despite a few good actions of Mexico, Tunisia won the third set 25-17.
Tunisia started off with a 8-4 lead, quickly narrowed by Mexico to a tie 8-8. The game continued point by point, until Tunisia regains the lead at second TTO 16-13. The three-point gap was maintained until 20-17 and Mexico is calling the last hope with a time out at 22-18 for Tunisia. The hosting team didn't plan to give up at that point and won the set 25-18.