Riding on strong performances from Kevin Klinkenberg, Sam Deroo and Pieter Verhees, the Belgians held their nerve in the decider to pull off a 22-25, 25-21, 28-26, 21-25, 15-9 victory at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Belgium’s captain Matthias Valkiers said: “It was a great match.
Argentina is a strong team and we had to fight for every point and we won because we fought for every point. Looking ahead, the match against Russia tomorrow is going to be tough and we will fight for every point.”
Defending champions Brazil, in great form, stormed past United States 3-1 (25-2, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17) in their Group F encounter.
Mauricio Silva combined neatly with team-mates Isac Santos, Najari Carvalho and Tiago Wesz to fashion the win for the South Americans, who never looked in danger as they strode over their opponents from the word go.
A highly satisfied Brazil coach Percy Oncken said: “We had to play our best to win against USA, though we committed a lot of mistakes our boys really played much better. USA played very well. I know they did not have No 11 Antonio Ciarelli today.”
The top two teams from Pool E and Pool F will advance to the semifinal stage.
In the classification matches, Poland thumped Belarus in straight sets in Pool G (25-19, 25-23, 25-20), while 2008 European champions France brushed aside Egypt 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19).
Agencies
Results: Pool E: Belgium bt Argentina 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 28-26, 21-25, 15-9).
Pool F: Brazil bt United States 3-1 (25-2, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17).
Classification matches:
Pool G: France bt Egypt 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19), Poland bt Belarus 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-20).
Pool H: Canada bt Tunisia 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23).
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