<p>The Indian team was thrashed 14-25, 21-25, 17-25 by second ranked Argentina in a one hour and 13 minutes battle.<br /><br />Naveen Raja Jacob, who is the only one to reach the double figure mark scoring 11 points marked India’s dismal performance.<br /><br />“Argentina served very well and their blocking was very effective. They played a fast game and our blocks could not match their speed,” India coach MH Kumara said at the post-match press conference.<br /><br />“However, our focus will be on tomorrow’s match and I am confident that our boys will overcome today’s loss,” he added.<br /><br />India will face Belgium in a do-or-die match tomorrow to qualify for the semifinals. Belgium had defeated Argentina 3-2 yesterday.<br /><br />In the other second round match, Defending Champions Brazil crushed top ranked Iran in straight sets 3–0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18). Brazil thus have earned a spot in the semifinals along with Pool F topper Cuba, who also have 2-0 record after defeating USA earlier on Wednesday. Iran, like USA are in danger of not advancing to the semifinal round.<br /><br />In the 9-16 classification matches Poland blanked out Egypt in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 23-25 and 25-21).<br /><br />On Tuesday, Indian spikers fired in unison but survived some anxious moments before pipping Russia 3-2 in their opening match in the second round.<br /><br />Gurinder Singh and MN Raja Jacob led the Indian attack commendably during the tooth-and-nail battle that lasted over two hours. <br /><br />The hosts started the Pool E match on a positive note by winning the opening game 25-22, but Russia soon leveled the score as they bagged the second game 28-26.<br /><br />The Indians again surged ahead winning the third game 33-31, but Russia clawed their way back into the match by snatching a 25-22 victory in the fourth stage. <br /><br />However, held their nerves to win the decisive game 15-11 to wrap up the affair.</p>
<p>The Indian team was thrashed 14-25, 21-25, 17-25 by second ranked Argentina in a one hour and 13 minutes battle.<br /><br />Naveen Raja Jacob, who is the only one to reach the double figure mark scoring 11 points marked India’s dismal performance.<br /><br />“Argentina served very well and their blocking was very effective. They played a fast game and our blocks could not match their speed,” India coach MH Kumara said at the post-match press conference.<br /><br />“However, our focus will be on tomorrow’s match and I am confident that our boys will overcome today’s loss,” he added.<br /><br />India will face Belgium in a do-or-die match tomorrow to qualify for the semifinals. Belgium had defeated Argentina 3-2 yesterday.<br /><br />In the other second round match, Defending Champions Brazil crushed top ranked Iran in straight sets 3–0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18). Brazil thus have earned a spot in the semifinals along with Pool F topper Cuba, who also have 2-0 record after defeating USA earlier on Wednesday. Iran, like USA are in danger of not advancing to the semifinal round.<br /><br />In the 9-16 classification matches Poland blanked out Egypt in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 23-25 and 25-21).<br /><br />On Tuesday, Indian spikers fired in unison but survived some anxious moments before pipping Russia 3-2 in their opening match in the second round.<br /><br />Gurinder Singh and MN Raja Jacob led the Indian attack commendably during the tooth-and-nail battle that lasted over two hours. <br /><br />The hosts started the Pool E match on a positive note by winning the opening game 25-22, but Russia soon leveled the score as they bagged the second game 28-26.<br /><br />The Indians again surged ahead winning the third game 33-31, but Russia clawed their way back into the match by snatching a 25-22 victory in the fourth stage. <br /><br />However, held their nerves to win the decisive game 15-11 to wrap up the affair.</p>