Qatar defeated Australia for their second straight victory to ensure their place in the semi-finals of the 2020 Men’s Volleyball Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in Jiangmen, China, yesterday.
At the Jiangmen Gymnasium, Qatar won 25-15, 25-21, 25-323 for their second straight-set victory and take on South Korea in the third match today. Opposite Geraldo Graciano Da Silva Filho again collected a match-high 14 points and three aces to lead Al Annabi win.
Later in the day, Iran and hosts China stayed unbeaten on the second day of the event in Pool A and joined Qatar in the last four stage. The second spot in Pool B looks open and is likely to be decided between South Korea and Australia, both have one win each in two matches.  
Qatar’s Argentine coach Camilo Soto was delighted with his team’s superb display as they pulled off 10 blocks to six by Australia. Belal Nabeel Abunabot came up with the most blocks in the match with five.
“Australia are a very high-potential team and they are improving. As for us, playing two games in a row in the morning was not easy for our players (as they are not used to this). I am satisfied with their performance today, especially in defence. And we will just keep going like this,” Soto said.
The first set which Qatar won at 15 set the tone of the match and Qatar captain Mohammed Ibrahim Saeed said, “It was a good play from our side at the beginning and it helped us win the match.”
Besides Filho, Saeed had a fine all-round game as he secured 13 points, three blocks and three aces. Abunabot added 12 points, including seven attacks. Nader Abubacar got nine.
For Australia, no player could reach double digits. Beau Graham had seven, including four attacks. Nehemian Mote and Lincoln Alexander Williams earned six each.