DOHA, August 20, 2026.- The U17 national teams of Mexico and Cuba opened their campaigns with losses on Thursday at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Mexico Falls to Brazil in Three Sets
Brazil delivered a strong performance to defeat Mexico 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-19) in Pool C at the Aspire Ladies Hall.
Brazil backed up that headline performance with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-19) victory over Mexico in Pool C at Aspire Ladies Hall.
Lucas Pereira de Abreu delivered the most complete performance with a match-high 17 points, scoring eight times in attack while dominating at the net with seven blocks and adding two aces. Lorenzo José Trentin and Lucca Perazzo Amaral Ferreira contributed 12 points apiece, giving Brazil three players in double figures as the team finished with 42 attacks, 11 blocks and nine aces.
Mexico showed greater resistance as the match progressed and produced eight blocks, with Diego Ibarra leading that effort with three. Francisco Sebastian Merino Romero was Mexico’s top scorer with seven points, while Yanis Alexander Medrano Jiménez added six, as Mexico pushed Brazil to their closest margin of the match in the third set.
Cuba Falls to India
The action shifted to Pool B at Al Arabi Sports Hall, where India held off a determined Cuba to claim a 3-0 (25-18, 26-24, 25-22) victory, completing the sweep after being pushed harder in the final two sets of their first match in Doha.
Dutta Ankit led India with 14 points, putting away 12 attacks from 23 attempts and adding two blocks. Apratim Bhadauriya supplied another 12 points and Rafik Ahmad added eight, while India stayed composed against a Cuban side that held a 42-39 advantage in attack and an 8-7 edge in blocks.
Cuba captain Reinaldo Márquez was the match’s leading scorer with 16 points, including 15 attacks, while Victor Erasmo Contreras contributed 13. Cuba’s ability to score kept the pressure on India, particularly in the final two sets, but India found the points they needed at the finish to complete the sweep.
Schedule – Friday, August 21 (Qatar Time)
Mexico vs Argentina – 10:00 AM
Cuba descansa
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