MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Canada lost to Portugal 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23 on Saturday in World League men’s volleyball action at the Hershey Centre.
Although Canada made quick work of Portugal on Friday in three sets, it was a tighter contest on Saturday.
Canada seemed to miss the physical presence leading scorer Gavin Schmitt, from Saskatoon, who did not play due to injury. The Canadians had a tentative start allowing Portugal to get the better of them early on in the first set.
"It was disappointing for us," said Canada’s captain Fred Winters of Victoria. "They did the same thing to us that they did to Finland last week. We started so slow that we gave them confidence right off the bat."
In the second, Canada came on strong and Portugal responded, but finally Canada seemed to connect to win the hard-fought set by five. But Canada’s momentum did not last into the third, which they dropped by seven points. The last set was tighter, but too late for Canada to make its mark.
Portugal’s Alexandre Ferreira had 17 points and the team’s captain Joao Jose finished with 16.
"We were better organized, our defense especially was better, and we were more disciplined," said Jose.
Gord Perrin of Creston, B.C., was Canada’s top scorer with 13 while Winters added 11 and Adam Simac of Ottawa 10.
In the tournament’s Pool C, Finland, Netherlands and South Korea, which all play their fourth match Sunday, are 2-1 followed by the Canadians and Portuguese while Japan is winless.
"Portugal controlled the match beginning to end," said Canadian coach Glenn Hoag. "We need to learn to play two matches in a row. We cannot afford to make as many mistakes as we did today."