ISLAMABAD, July 31: Pakistan have been drawn to play Australia in their opening match of the 12th Asian Senior volleyball championship starting at Tianjin, China from Sept 5.

Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob, chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) said on Thursday that the national side had a good chance of making the second round from Pool C.

Apart from Australia and Pakistan, the other teams in Pool C are the UAE and Taipei, sides which Chaudhry said could be beaten.

“Taipei and Pakistan have more or less the same standard of play while we have always beaten UAE,” he said. “We have also won a number of times against Australia, but of late they have improved.”

After playing Australia on September 5, Pakistan will take on Taipei the following day with the UAE clash on Sept 7.

Chaudhry said that 12 players would be selected from among 18 who are in training under coaches Habib Asghar and M.B. Javed at Islamabad’s Liaquat Gymnasium.

The other groups for the championship see China, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan bracketed together in Pool A with defending champions Korea, India, Bahrain and Thailand making Pool B. Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Qatar and New Zealand.

Chaudhry termed all the pools as “balanced” and said that top two sides from each group would go through to the second round.

Meanwhile Pakistan have a bright chance of being allotted the 2005 Asian Senior Championship after this year’s tournament originally to be staged in Islamabad had to be moved to China because of security concerns.

“A decision is to be made in this regard in September.” Qatar, China and Iran are the other bidding nations.

Pakistan have also submitted their bid to host next year’s Asian Junior Championship.

Chaudhry also announced that the Prime Minister Gold Cup International Tournament in Islamabad would be held between Oct 5 and 12.

“Iran, Thailand, Qatar and Kuwait have agreed to compete while there has been no word from India and Saudi Arabia yet.”