Though it has failed to reach the play-offs of the on-going world championship, China has entered directly the last eight of the Asiad men's volleyball event.

The Chinese team is making their final preparations for the games in Beijing and it is expected to arrive in Doha on Nov. 28.

The newly-reshuffled men's team, led by the one-year-stand head coach Zhou Jian'an, vowed to fight for honor in the games. They failed to make the semifinals four years ago in the Busan games.

Host Qatar also enters the quarterfinals with four other world championship participants of Japan, South Korea, Iran and 　Kazakhstan.

However, another 11 teams, including Hong Kong, Macao and Chinese Taipei, have to compete for two other seats for the quarterfinals.

"I can't say too much right now, but our team will try our best in the games," said Radoslav Sviroev, head coach of Saudi Arabia, who led the team to win the second place in the just-ended Arabian championship.

For Macao, who will open their campaign against Saudi Arabia, their journey in the Asiad is more relaxing.

"We are not a professional team, so we don't have much pressure, " said Liang Yongtang, head coach of Macao. "We come here to enjoy each match and learn from others."

All 47 matches of men's volleyball will be staged at the A- Rayyan Indoor Hall in northwest suburb of Doha.
 
(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2006)