Amoa braced for Manila experience

 By JACK AMI

THE Papua New Guinea Amoa men’s volleyball takes a crack at the 2014 Asian Club Championship against 17 other teams competing in Manila, Philippines, from April 8-16.

The top ranked team at the end of the tournament will advance to the World Club Championship from May 6-11. This was confirmed by PNG Volleyball Federation president Bernard Alu in a press statement yesterday.

“This our first foray into the Asian Volleyball. PNG Volleyball is heading in the right direction by participating at high level competitions and getting ready for the 2015 Pacific Games,” Alu said.

The Amoa take on the region’s best and are in Pool D which has 2013 Bronze medal winners Chinese Taipei, China, United Arab Emirates and India.

“The tournament will be very tough but we won’t make it any easier for our opponents as well. The boys have been working tirelessly on defence but our key area is our unusual style of attack we hope to surprise our opponents.”

Amoa: Ravuiwa Mahuru Rau (c), Gia Kapa, Tau Muri, Veupu Kila, Richard Kilarupa, George David, Kato Ben Otio, Eric Itama, Kala Kila ,Jason Nauga, Charlie Maino, Jnr Momo Taera, Tomi Lui (coach), Koavea Karulaka (assistant coach), George Daera (manager), Shem Garena (trainer) and Kila Oli (team assistant). The Amoa fly out on Sunday and return on April 18.

The 18 participating teams are drawn into four pools. The hosts Philippines are in Pool A, which is considered the weakest pool, with Iraq (seventh place finisher in 2013), Kuwait and Mongolia. 

The top six teams of last year’s championship were drawn into the other three pools.

Pool B has Iran (defending champions), Japan (six finisher in 2013), Lebanon and Mongolia. 

Defending champion Iran are the traditional strong team in the Asian Club Championships as they have won nine titles over the past 13 championships – 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. They won broze in 2012.

Pool C has Qatar, Kazakhstan, Oman, Hong Kong and Turkmenistan.