LJUBLJANA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Brazil booked the first last 16 spot in the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship here on Sunday as they swept Japan 3-0 to register their second group win and secure a top-two finish.
After a strong start of the Asian team in the first set, outside hitter Yoandy Leal led the South Americans to a convincing 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-16) sweep.
Leal managed to reset the balance after Japan opened the gap as wide as four points at 16-12 in the first set. With the Cuban-born outside spearheading the offence, Brazil caught up at 18-18 and never looked back, dominating the rest of the match.
Leal piled up a match-high 17 points, including two blocks. Star opposite Wallace De Souza was the only other Brazilian player to reach double digits. The 35-year-old spiker contributed 11 attack points at a 55 percent success rate and added two stuffs towards a 13-point match total.
Elsewhere, Cuba produced a 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19) win over Qatar with opposite Jesus Herrera leading the way with 22 points, Germany defeated Cameroon 3-0 (30-28, 25-14, 25-19), and Olympic champions France edged past hosts Slovenia in a tough five-setter 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 34-32, 15-7). ■
