VOLLEYBALL – Australia outclassed Oman 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-22) yesterday in a Pool A clash at the AVC Volleyball Men’s Continental Championship 2026, currently being played in Fukuoka, Japan.
The Australians secured their second victory in as many games and, along with fellow-unbeaten side and hosts Japan, secured their place in the tournament’s elite eight.
Bahrain’s senior men’s volleyball national team are also in the same division, but they have lost their two games to date – first against the Australians and then against the Japanese.
They still have an outside chance of making it through to the quarter-finals as one of two best third-placed teams from the three groups in the preliminary round, but they must win their concluding assignment against the Omanis on Wednesday, scheduled for a 4am start, Bahrain time, at Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium.
In other games yesterday, China beat New Zealand 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-18) in Pool B while Thailand edged past South Korea in a thriller 3-2 (25-18, 25-16, 20-25, 22-25, 15-12) in Pool C.
Action in the competition continues today with Japan facing Australia for Pool A supremacy at 1.30pm, Bahrain time.
Wednesday will be the concluding day of the preliminaries in the competition.
The quarters are slated for Thursday and Friday, while the semi-finals will be held the following day.
They will set the stage for the gold and bronze medal games, which will bring the curtain down on the championship on Sunday.
The elite senior men’s continental championship features 12 of Asia’s best in the sport.
They are vying not only for the coveted title, but also for the sole direct quota place in the men’s volleyball tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
In addition to this, the competition’s top three will secure berths in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup 2027.
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