Japan survived a last set scare to defeat Qatar in straight sets here on Tuesday in the 2010 Asian Games men's volleyball tournament.

With the 25-19, 25-15 and 32-30 victory, Japan scored a 3-0 record in the preliminaries and booked a berth in the quarterfinals with one match left.

Yoneyama Yuta led the game with 14 points and his teammate Shimizu Kunihiro added 12 for Japan.

"This game is important. Qatar played fast and well, their blocking was good," said Ueta Tatsuya.

Japan will face Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday in their last pool match.

With Jumah Faraj Mohamed's outstanding play with accurate serves, powerful spikes and firm blocks, Qatar began a hard struggle with Japan in the opening set. However, Mohamed's efforts did not pay off as Japan performed a better overall play on courts and Japan struggled to win the set 25-19.

Japan scored a slight lead at 8-7 in the second set. Qatar then lacked focus during the play and Japan enlarged the gap to 16-11. Qartar kept making mistakes giving away an easy second set to Japan 25-15.

Mohamed again stood up in the third set, he scored three points in a row all through blocks and help Qatar take the first lead in the third set at 26-25.

But Qatar could not continue their scoring trend as Saeed Faraj Obaidan and Mohamed both faulted for a service. This gave Japan their third set win 32-30.

Mohamed scored 13 points to lead Qatar while Ibrahim M. Ibrahim had 12. Chigo John contributed nine.

"Qatar's middle blockers were very tall and have better leaping ability. Their quick attacks in this game were more effective," said Japan's Usami Daisuke.

Another Asian powerhouse Iran also assured their third straight win on Tuesday, they swept Indonesia 25-15, 25-23, 25-23 and top the pool C with a three-for-three record during the preliminaries.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2010)