Volleyball Club Worlds: Sada captain Wallace praises Suntory’s fighting spirit

BENGALURU: Sada Cruzeiro Volei captain and opposite Wallace de Souza heaped praise on Suntory Sunbirds, after the Japanese team gave the Brazilian giants a run for their money in the Volleyball Club World Championships match here on Thursday.

Trailing 0-2 at the end of the second set against four-time champions Sada in a Pool B encounter, Suntory saved four match points in the third set and levelled the contest before going down. By taking the match to the fifth set, Suntory, who lost 21-25, 29-31, 30-28, 25-22, 12-15, sealed a semifinal berth in their maiden World Championships campaign – the Japanese team had won the tournament opener against Halkbank Spor Kulubu (Turkey) in straight sets.

“We knew that they (Suntory) had good players. The Japanese mentality is to never give up. They know how to defend; they know how to turn things to their side. We knew that it was going to be tough. We had to play well throughout the match,” said the legendary Wallace, who scored 22 points (19 attack and 3 block points) against Suntory.

“Maybe, [the momentum shifted to their side at the end of the third set]. We knew that they could make it and that they were a good team. But we did not manage to be in front at the end (start of the fifth set). However, what is important is that we won the match,” added Wallace, an Olympic gold medalist with Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Asked what message was passed on from the bench during the timeout at the beginning of the final set, when Sada were behind by three points, Wallace replied: “The coach (Filipe Ferraz) did not say much. He calmed us down so that we could think about making a comeback. He wanted us to serve well and do what we do better.”

Suntory enjoy great support

Suntory received great support from the crowd at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, with a group of youngsters, seated in one of the upper tiers, constantly chanting ‘let’s go Japan, let’s go.’ The vibrant energy rubbed off on the players, who interacted with the supporters with gestures and celebratory moves.





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