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Solid team work helps Canada to the win over Australia

 

   

TOKYO, Japan, May 31, 2016 – In its third five-set match in as many games, Canada secured its first victory at the Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament with a 3-2 (25-19, 24-26, 20-25, 29-27,15-11) win over Australia at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Tuesday.

 

Canada had five set battles with Poland and Iran to open the tournament, coming up short in the tie-breaks, but today in a true team effort they ended up on the winning side.

 

“We played well against Poland and Iran… but we finally won a fifth set, so that’s a big monkey off our back,” said Canadian opposite Gavin Schmitt. “Having a win now is good for the confidence moving forward.”

 

Canada’s high scorers were Gordon Perrin (25 points), Nicholas Hoag (22) and Schmitt (22). Australia’s Thomas Edgar had a 33-point haul to lead all scorers.

 

In other matches, China swept Venezuela 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-15), France blanked Iran 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-22) and Poland beat Japan 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-23).

 

Canada plays Venezuela tomorrow at 10:10 local time. 

 

The WOQT is a round robin tournament: eight teams are competing in 28 games, with each country playing seven matches in as many days. The top-ranked Asian team and the top three ranked teams, four in total, will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.