AUSTRALIANS INTO VOLLEYBALL QUARTER-FINALS AFTER 3-1 WIN OVER CHINA
Volleyball, September 27: A place in the Asian Olympic Qualification tournament awaits Volleyball Team Australia when they take on Pakistan in the quarter-finals of the 16th Asian Men's Volleyball Championships in Tehran, Iran later today.
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Victory would see the John Uriarte coached Australians progress into tomorrow's (Wednesday) semi-finals with the top four teams earning the right to play for Olympic qualification next June.
The Australians came from behind to upset top seeds China overnight and top Pool F, maintaining its unbeaten record after five preliminary stage matches.
Following a shaky start with Australia trailing the Chinese 1-8 at the first technical timeout, the team put together some consistent play for the remainder of the set but could not close the gap losing the first set 22-25.
The fifth seeded Australians improved with every set from this point as they controlled their service reception much better, passing at 2.49 and 57percent perfect pass for the match which allowed the setters to utilise Australia's offence much more effectively.
Australia continued to improve in attack, killing the ball at 45 percent , 52 percent and 60 percent in the second, third and fourth sets respectively and finished the match in emphatic form, dominating the final set 25-18, finishing with 17 stuff blocks to four.
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It was a three sets to one victory to the dogged Australians, 22-25, 27-25, 25-23 and 25-18.
Assistant coach Dan Illot said: "We won the match with excellent contributions from players who had not played as much as others until this point in the tournament, but took their opportunities and had a great impact coming into the line up today.
"Head Coach Uriarte was extremely happy with the team's performance today and their resolve in the face of significant adversity with a large majority of the team suffering from food poisoning during the tournament to date.
"Australia also played very well in service and defence, creating numerous transition for point opportunities, using smart blocking tactics.
"The quarter-final match against Pakistan has additional significance as the top four teams from this tournament will earn the right to participate in the Asian Olympic Qualification tournament in June next year."
RESULT: 3:1 (22-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-18)
TEAM STATISTICS
SERVE 2 Aces, 14 Errors, Proficiency 1.41
RECEPTION Proficiency 2.49, 57% Perfect, 1 Error.
ATTACK 48% Kill, 14% Error, 34% Kill Efficiency
BLOCK 17 Stuff Blocks, 22 Control Blocks.
DEFENCE 24 Controlled Digs.