Brazil fought hard to get back in the final set against a solid Chinese squad
Montreux, Switzerland, May 28, 2014 - Brazil outplayed China late in the fifth set to secure a 3-2 (25-19, 14-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-13) victory in Pool A of the Montreux Volley Masters in Pierrier Omnisports Hall on Wednesday.
China fought back amazingly towards the end of the first set despite a score that could have led to a quick finish at 24-15. The Chinese saved four consecutive set points before Brazilian attack concluded the set 25-19.
Brazil had to undergo a difficult situation in the second set, this time trying to catch up with the Chinese squad. Brazilian coach Zé Roberto saw his players totally overwhelmed and held powerless by the Chinese at 22-13. China eventually sealed the second set after a couple of excellent serves 25-14.
In the third set, both teams fought hard to keep a small margin. China only managed to break loose later in middle of the set 12-9. After calling a timeout, Brazil evened the gap at 12-all, forcing China to call their own timeout. The remainder of the set remained exciting as both teams kept each other in close range until China saw an opportunity later in the set 25-23.
China were always behind by three points until the 20th point in the fourth set but came through with exciting plays to the delight of the spectators to tie the score. The South Americans nevertheless concluded the fourth set 26-24.
Brazil and China opened the tiebreaker battling for every point. Brazil were the first to call the timeout after dropping three points in a row that gave China the 6-3 advantage. The Brazilians managed to cut the lead of the Chinese before changing sides 8-6. The second part of the tiebreaker seemed to favour Brazil as the South Americans grabbed the lead 11-9. The match was tied at 13-all until Brazil scored on a series of spectacular blocks that closed the set and match 15-13.