The Hindu : Sport : Australians pose a big threat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Sport

Sport

Australians pose a big threat

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Vino John

ON A MISSION: The Australian volleyball team has arrived in Chennai with the aim of qualifying for the World Cup.

Chennai: Australia normally plays in the Oceania Zone and when it comes to volleyball it is in the Asian Zone. The Aussies are more than happy to contend with the likes of China, Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran and India. The team, which qualified for the World Championship last time and figured in the Sydney Olympics too, is making another attempt to get into the World event to be held in Japan in 2006.

After being beaten by Iran at Tehran in the first phase, Australia — in the process of rebuilding its team — has landed here with the aim of getting a slot, ahead of Korea and India. Despite losing four of its veterans, the squad is strong enough to challenge any team in the zone.

Solid side

With seven professionals in its line-up, Australia poses a definite threat. David Howard, Hardy, Mathew Youth, Andrew Earl, David Fergusun, Hydde van Beest and Brett Alderman play in Germany, Italy and Argentina regularly. But Zen Christiansen, who impressed two years ago in the Asian Youth championship at Visakhapatnam, is not here after undergoing a knee surgery. "He will be ready next year," said the Aussie coach Russell Borgeaud.

Robert, Panagopka, Grant and De Salvo are some of the other players who have come through the junior ranks.

"What the team needs is a little more match practice. The Australian side played against the U.S. and China in the United States. Iran was a strong side and we lost badly. We want to make it up here," said Russell. "We faced the same problem with China, which served strongly and won the close sets. I thought India would beat China and the result was a surprise."

Australia enjoys a fairly high position in Asia. It came close to clinching the Asian title in 1997 at Doha, but a three-way tie with China and Japan spoilt its chances and it ended up with a silver. The side finished fourth in the previous Asian championship, followed by India. It's going to be quite an interesting tussle between India and Australia here.

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