Both sides improved their win?loss record to 3?0 with nine points as the battle heats up for the two last remaining tickets to the male volleyball tournament of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Since the event doubles as Asian Continental Olympic Qualifier, the top team at the end of the competition plus the best placed Asian squad will book spots for the Games at the UK capital. In total four tickets remaining for the Olympic tournament in London. Two from the qualification tournament in Japan and parallel this weekend from June 8 to 10, one ticket in Sofia, Bulgaria and one from Berlin, Germany respectively. In Sofia Bulgaria, France, Egypt and Pakistan will battle. In Berlin Czech Republic, Cuba and India is playing for one single ticket. Teams already qualified to London are host Great Britain, Russia, Poland, Italy, Brazil, Tunisia, USA, Argentina. 

Puerto Rico vs Venezuela 

Venezuela downed Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-21) The victory improved Venezuela's record to 1-2, while Puerto Rico slipped to 0-3.Kevin Pinerua had a match-high 14 points in the win. Luis Arias chipped in with 12 points.Jose Rivera led Puerto Rico with 11 points. Opponents errors 61-75 

Venezuela coach - Roberto Garcia " I was satisfied with the way the players carried out our tactical plan. We are making fewer mistakes now in blocking and receiving. We would like to make the upcoming Olympics, but we also have our sights on the 2016 Games". 

Iran vs Australia 

Australia defeated Iran in four sets (17-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23) to remain unbeaten on the third day of action. The win raised Australia's record to 3-0, while Iran dropped to 2-1. 

Edgar Thomas sparked Australia with a match-high 24 points. Adam White rang up 22 points in the victory. Mohammad Mousavi led Iran with 15 points. Hamzeh Zarini added 13 points. 

Australia coach - Jon Uriarte "We played very well. It started with our serve and we used our strategy to win several key points. Iran plays an attack system that has been tough for other teams in this tournament. We were able to work well against it". 

Serbia vs China 

Serbia routed China in straight sets (25-15, 25-13, 25-21) in one hour to remain unbeaten along with Australia. The victory raised Serbia's record to 3-0, while China fell to 1-2. Milos Nikic notched a match-high 13 points in the win. Nikola Kovacevic and Marko Podrascanin contributed 11 points apiece. Zhang Chen top-scored for China with 12 points. 

Serbia captain - Bojan Janic "It was an incredible victory for us. We played very good all three sets. We thought it would be a tougher match. If we win tomorrow it will be like a final for us." 

Japan vs Korea 

Japan outlasted Korea in five sets (25-22, 24-26, 25-20, 19-25, 15-6). It was a back and forth battle for the regional rivals, with Japan finally prevailing when their attack stepped it up in the final set before a raucous home crowd. Japan raised its record to 2-1 with the win, while Korea fell to 0-3. 

Tatsuya Fukuzawa paced Japan with a match-high 20 points. Kunihiro Shimizu chipped in with 13 points. Park Chul-Woo was strong in defeat, leading Korea with 19 points. Kim Hak-Min added 14 points. Yoneyama Yuta leads the spiker ranking for the tournament with a success rate of 68 procents Japan raised its record to 2-1 with the win, while Korea fell to 0-3. 

Tatsuya Fukuzawa paced Japan with a match-high 20 points. Kunihiro Shimizu chipped in with 13 points. Park Chul-Woo was strong in defeat, leading Korea with 19 points. Kim Hak-Min added 14 points. 

Wednesdays matches: Puerto Rico - Iran, Australia - Serbia, Venezuela - Korea and Japan - China

LIVE SCOREBOX
DAY 4   |   JUNE 6, 2012

 

No Phase Date Local Time GMT Time Teams Live Score Result City Description Press Conf. Stats Photos 13 A 06/06 11:10 02:10 PUR-IRI 1-3 Tokyo, Japan View View View View 14 A 06/06 13:40 04:40 AUS-SRB 0-3 Tokyo, Japan View View View View 15 A 06/06 16:00 07:00 VEN-KOR View Tokyo, Japan View 16 A 06/06 19:05 10:05 JPN-CHN View Tokyo, Japan View