TodayGroup BRwanda vs Iran 3pmChina vs USA 11:30pm

SaturdayChina 3-0 RwandaUSA 3-0 Iran

After losing their opening match at the 2016 Paralympic Games to China on Friday, Rwanda women’s sitting volleyball team will be keen to bounce back when they take on Iran today in Group B at Riocentro-Pavilion 6.

Rwanda, making their debut appearance at the Paralympic Games, was a no-match for the defending champions and current world number one, who easily won the match in straight sets 3-0 (25-3, 25-8, 25-6).

However, Peter Karreman’s team are keen to make amends when they face Iran, who are ranked 9th in the world, in their second game, according to team captain Liliane Mukobwankawe.

"We lost to China, the best team in the world, our game reading was a bit poor but we now have to turn our focus on the next game, against Iran, which we will try to win although we know that it will not be easy… we have played them before and understand their tactics,” she said.

Going by the statistics from the first game, Rwanda will have to improve a lot if they are to record their first win at the Games.

Karreman’s team only managed seven spikes compared to 39 spikes from China, had one block point to China’s two, two service points compared to 16 for China and seven opponent errors against China’s 18. 

Gold medal favourites China next face the 2012 silver medalists USA in the day’s second game in Group B, with each seeking to win and finish top of the table. USA won their first game against Iran 3-0 (25-17, 25-13 and 25-9) on Friday night. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw