Doha: Qatar is set to take on hosts Japan in their opening Group A match at the 21st Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship today, looking to excel in the continental event.
The 16-team event begins today with the final scheduled to be held on September 19. Japanese cities of Chiba and Funabashi will host the matches.
Al Annabi are hoping to reverse fortunes in the tournament after finishing dismal 9th in the previous edition in Iran. Coached by Argentine Camilo Soto, Qatar underwent strenuous preparations for the event and were eyeing a strong performance against nine-time champions Japan today.
“We are a well-prepared team. We had an intensive training camp in Slovenia last month and I hope we will live up to the occasion,” Soato said prior to the match.
World No.10 Japan is the best ranked team in the tournament, followed by Iran (11), Korea (21), Qatar (28), China (29), Australia (30), Chinese Taipei (32) and Thailand (39) from among the top-50.
India and Bahrain are the other two teams in Qatar’s group.
Reigning champions Iran, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong are in Group B while China, Australia, China, Uzbekistan and Kuwait form Group C. Grou D comprises Korea, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.
Four teams each with the group winner qualifying for the semi-final while the second-placed teams will make it to Pool F, which will play for the 5-8 positions.
Teams get three points for winning the best-of-five-sets match 3-0 or 3-1 and the loser does not get any point. But in case a team wins 3-2, the winner gets two points and the loser one. The team with the most points will top the pool and qualify for the semifinal league.
In the past 20 Asian championships, only five different teams have captured the eventual titles. Japan have won nine titles, while Korea claimed four, China and Iran shared three apiece and Australia won one.