Recap of the FIVB World League 2011 Qualification Tournament
The FIVB World League 2011 Qualification Tournament just rolled off on 29th August 2010 with its last matches in Puerto Rico. The Qualification Tournament determined the remaining last two qualifiers for FIVB World League 2011.
The qualification tournament greeted six teams in the competition and allowed them to struggle the empty spots of 2011 FIVB World Volleyball League. The final victory graced South Korea and Puerto Rico, which confirmed their presence on the 2011 World League roster.
Out of six participants of the qualification tournament, two teams belonged to FIVB World League, while rest of the teams came from African Challenger Series (CAVB), Asian Volleyball Championship (AVC), American Challenger series (NORCECA), and CEV European Challenger series. In the running season, China and Japan finished in 15th and 16th places at FIVB World League Championship 2010. They ended with the lowest points which pushed them in the qualification tournament, in order to appear in 2011 WL championship. Tunisia, Japan, Puerto Rico and Portugal joined them from African, Asian, American and European platforms.
First Round
The teams were scheduled to play their matches in two rounds. The first round was kicked off on 6th August 2010, where Puerto Rico clashed with Portugal. They played two matches in the first leg of first round. The Puerto Rican team ousted Portugal in the first match and declared a 3-1 (20–25 25–18 25–22, and 25–22) win. Portugal could only catch the first set but lost the remaining. The second match concluded similar results, as Puerto Rico eliminated Portugal by sending a 3-1 (20–25 25–15 25–18 25–22) triumph. Portugal lost its chance to appear on the 2011 World League Table.
The second leg of the first round brought Japan and Tunisia in the competition. Japan proved to be the better team and took the game away from Tunisia. They posted 3-0 (25–20 25–13 25–21) win over Tunisia in first battle and attained the commanding position. In the next match, Tunisia failed to gain control over the ball and lost the match as a result of 3-0 (25–17 25–16 25–21) in straight three sets.
Second Round
Japan led the first set and competed against South Korea in the second round. Japan’s downfall started in the first match, when South Korea dismissed Japan after a 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 29-27, and 25-21) victory. South Korea had a good start and successfully captured the first set. The Japanese team hit back and returned the score and claimed the second set. Nonetheless, they lost the final two sets, which announced South Korea as a winner. They still had their chance to create a noise in the second match but Japanese team collapsed after 1-3 (25–23 23–25 24–26 22–25) defeat.
The second leg of the second round featured combats between Puerto Rico and China. The Puerto Rican had won their first round matches against Portugal and enjoyed a good form. Keeping the same momentum and energy, Puerto Rico crashed Chinese team and earned 3-1 (22–25, 25–21, 25–21, and 25–23) victory in first match. With the support of local fans and home-courts, Puerto Rico sparked with good results. They achieved success in the second match and eliminated China by posting 3-1 (25–19, 30–28, 22–25, and 25–20) in the second match.
Puerto Rico proved their volleyball talent and validated their place in the 2011 World Volleyball League. Likewise, South Korea defended their position and qualified for the 2011 WL championship.
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