VOLLEYBALL: The Australian men’s volleyball team begins its Asian Championships campaign determined to confirm their status as one of the powerhouse teams of the region.
Australia goes into the event ranked second behind host nation, Iran, and with a current world ranking of 13.
India will be Australia’s toughest opponent in pool play, with a world ranking of 39, with Qatar (45) and Turkmenistan (141) the other two teams in the group.
A change in the Olympic qualification process has removed some of the pressure on the Volleyroos in Tehran, but coach Roberto Santilli says his team needs to make a statement.
“I’m feeling confident, and I think the team is feeling confident,” Santilli said.
“If you think we have less pressure because of the change in rules, that is not correct. We add pressure to the guys because from the beginning of this preparation we have said we want to go to Tehran for a big result.
“We want to go there with the idea we can be competitive for first place. If we want to build the mentality of the group to fight at high level we have to go there and fight for first place.”
Initially Australia had to finish top three next week to qualify for the Olympic qualification tournament, but with the emphasis now on current Asian rankings, the Volleyroos are already through to the qualifiers.
Australia will be expected to perform strongly in Iran after its first season in the top division of World League.
But Santilli said the experience of playing in the best competition in the world will throw up extra challenges.
“The most difficult game will be the first game (against Qatar), because we come from a different level,” he said.
“World League is the best volleyball you can play, so we have to adjust to a new rhythm and style.”
Australia will welcome back experienced opposite, Paul Carroll, after a knee injury which sidelined him from the World League campaign.
“He is so important, absolutely important,” Santilli said.
“He’s physically okay, and with his return the level of the competition in the team lifts. And he is an experienced player, and this is a young group of players so absolutely, he is a very important player for us.”
The Volleyroos take on Qater late Friday night, followed by Turkmenistan on Saturday evening and India on Sunday night.
ROSS SOLLY FOR VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA
