“This group is not afraid of challenges”: Puerto Rico clashes with Brazil in the Olympic qualifier

The Women’s National Volleyball Team He will return to the court this Wednesday in his fourth match of the Olympic qualifier, which takes place in Japan, China and Poland.

The current rival, the fourth ranked in the world, Brazil.

“It’s a game against a world power,” coach Fernando Morales told El Nuevo Dia.

“We hope to continue improving and test ourselves against these types of teams. Brazil has been somewhat inconsistent this tournament, but we know the level it can present,” he added.

The Puerto Ricans arrive with a 1-2 record in Group B. They fell in their debut against the number one in the ranking of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)Turkiye, but then they won by First time in history in four sets to Belgium.

On Tuesday, the group host, the Japanese sextet, beat Puerto Rico 25-23, 25-21 and 25-13 with 24 points from the Japanese Arisa Inoue.

In defeat, Brittany Abercrombie contributed 18 points and Alondra Vazquez he achieved another seven.

Morales highlighted how even, at times, the Puerto Ricans kept the match against the eighth-ranked team in the world.

“I think we played a great game,” he said. “Playing against a world power like Japan at home is not easy. And this young group showed that they are not afraid of challenges. “We are getting closer to these level teams,” he added.

Brazil, undefeated with a 3-0 record, is the current Olympic silver medalist. It features veteran setter Roberta Ratzke, as well as attacker Gabriela ‘Gabi’ Guimarães and center backs Thaisa Menezes and Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva, among others.

In their last match, the “verdeamarela” had to fight to defeat Bulgaria in five periods.

The Olympic qualifier distributes two direct tickets per group to Paris 2024. In total there are three groups.

Japan, Turkey and Brazil lead Group B with a 3-0 record. Belgium, Argentina and Puerto Rico follow with 1-2. Bulgaria and Peru are 0-3.

The game against Brazil is at 3:00 am on Wednesday.