VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE – ROUND 3 PREVIEW
After securing their first win at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Round 2, the Australian Men’s Volleyroos will be hoping for more success as they head into the final round on 6 July.
The Aussies upset host nation Bulgaria in a five-set victory on 24 June in a close-fought battle that went down to the wire.
While the rest of the round wasn’t as fruitful with losses to Serbia and Poland, both 3-0, the Aussies will now turn their attention to the last week of competition.
“We are looking forward to continuing on the path we’ve established in the first two rounds,” Volleyroos Head Coach Dave Preston said.
“It’s been a great opportunity for some new guys to experience the level of play from the world’s best volleyball teams.”
Host nation Japan will be first up on the cards for the Volleyroos. Known as Ryujin Nippon (Dragon God of Japan), they will be in full force in front of their home crowd in Osaka.
Volleyroos Arash Dosanjh and Lorenzo Pope both said they were looking forward to coming up against them.
“We always have a good game against Japan because of that Asian Championships rivalry so that is a game we’re really looking forward to and hopefully we can put up a good result,” Dosanjh said.
“There’s a lot of talent in that team and some stars that will give us a run for our money but I’m keen to get out there and show what we’ve got,” chimed Pope.
“They’re definitely a team I’m keen to play against.”
Two out of the three times Australia has faced Germany in the VNL, they have come away with the win but in a side that has a wealth of experience, it could be a tough match.
“We always play quite well against them but then again they have some experience in the team so I think they’ll be a tough opponent,” Dosanjh said.
Australia will finish their preliminary round with two tough opponents in Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Argentina and Olympic champions France.
Trent O’Dea said the two nations would put up quite the challenge for Australia.
“The past couple of times we’ve played Argentina, it was difficult, they’re definitely not a team that roll over easily and let us have the win, so we’ll have to work for it,” he said.
France has also finished in the top four nations since the 2018 edition of the VNL.
“They’ll be there to win it, so it will another tough game for sure,” O’Dea said.
For the full schedule of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League – click here
The Volleyball Nations League will be live streamed via Volleyball World TV – click here for more
MEN’S VOLLEYROOS SCHEDULE
ROUND 3 – Osaka, Japan
6 July – Australia v Japan @ 8.10pm AEST
7 July – Australia v Germany @ 4pm AEST
8 July – Australia v Argentina @ 1.40pm AEST
10 July – Australia v France @ 4.40pm AEST
