DOHA (Qatar): Qatar beat Australia for their second straight victory at the Men’s Volleyball Asian Olympic Qualification semifinals in Jiangmen, China on Wednesday, but India lost their second game against South Korea after their opening match defeat to Qatar.
Qatar won 25-15, 25-21, 25-323 for their second straight-set victory and take on South Korea in the third match on Thursday.
They top Pool A six points and a maximum set ratio.
At Jiangmen Sports Center on Wednesday, Geraldo Goiano was again in top form for Qatar accounting for 14 points.
Bilal Nabil, captain Mohamed Ibrahim Said and Nader Abu Bakr also played their parts to perfection as Qatar finished off the Aussies in 88 minutes.
In the other match in Pool B, South Korea registered their first points with 25–19, 25–20, 25–23 victory against India.
Qatar open campaign on a confident note
Qatar, placed in Pool B, were in fine form right against India and won 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 in an hour and 24 minutes.
Geraldo Goiano, Nader Abu Bakr, Bilal Nabil and captain Mohamed Ibrahim Said were the star performers.
In the other match in the pool Australia defeated South Korea 23–25, 25–23, 26–24, 20–25, 9–17 in a thrilling five-setter.
Meanwhile in Pool A, Iran blanked Chinese Taipei 25-16, 25-17, 25-14 and hosts China eased past Kazakhstan 25–19, 25–14, 25–18.
The winner of the eight-team tournament will book their berth at Tokyo Olympics.
