Coach ELAIUTY (EGY) aims to revamp squad after defeat to RPC

TOKYO (OIS) – Brazil squeezed into the Tokyo 2020 sitting volleyball semifinals by the narrowest of margins while an experienced Egypt team bowed out of the competition as the men’s pool matches concluded on Tuesday.

World-ranked No.2 side Brazil suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to No.8-ranked Germany that left both sides tied with China in pool B – each having won one game and lost two in the preliminary round.

However, Brazil advanced to the semifinals based on having a better points and sets ratio in their matches overall. Pool B was won by Iran, who cruised into the semifinals with a 100% record after beating China 3-0.

RPC’s 3-0 victory over Egypt sealed their spot as pool A winners and knocked out their North African opponents, who had made the semifinals in four out of the last five Paralympic Games.

Many of Egypt’s players participated in all those Games, and coach Mosaad ELAIUTY said recruiting new players would be his number one priority.

“I think what happened with my team is the same thing that happened with the Bosnian team,” ELAIUTY said in reference to the five-time Paralympic finalists who also lost to the undefeated RPC this week. “They have all old players also.

“Sometimes you just care about getting a medal, you don’t care if the player is old or new. But now you have to change your mind, you have to think about the future, because the future needs new players with new skills that can meet a strong team like the Russian team.”

Bosnia Herzegovina will still advance to the semifinals after they beat Japan 3-0 on Tuesday to secure second spot in pool A.