Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 19 -- Eight teams including Asian champions Australia and the Asian Games winners Korea gathered here in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Friday, ready to test their mettles in the inaugural Asian Men's Cup Volleyball Championship, which kicks off September 20 in the Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall.

As for the host side, with the presence of leading teams of the continent, their chances in the one-week tournament cannot be that high. They have their sights set on a consolation seventh-place finish.

The tournament sees top eight teams from the last year’s Asian Championship making the cut for the top-flight group round-robin competition.

On the opening day on Saturday, hosts Thailand, world number 31, open their campaign against China, world number 10 and quarter-finalists at the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. China, while Japan failed to make their mark in a determined attempt to go the distance.

On his team's chances in the prestigious tournament, Thai head coach Monchai Supajirakul said, “It will be a tough mission in the tournament. Every team but Thailand fielded tall and towering players loaded by majestic talents and skills. Our expectation is just to make the best out of what we have.

“Although our standard is second to almost every team, I’m still upbeat that my players will go all out with guts and courage. If cheered on lustily by home crowds, I think my players can even spring a surprise against the much stronger teams like China, South Korea and Australia.

“My top priority in this tournament is to battle it out against our SEA Games archrivals Indonesia in the seventh-place play-off,” he added.

Thailand finished sixth at the last year’s Asian meet in Jakarta and came in a disappointing third place at the 24th South East Asian(SEA) Games on home soil on the same year.

Thailand were drawn in Group A with China, Doha Asian Games champions, Korea and world number 24 Iran, while Asian winners and number 13 in the world Australia, the 2005 champions and world number 11 Japan, Chinese Taipei and the SEA Games gold medalists Indonesia, both sides shared world number 40, are in Group B.

Korea take on Iran in the curtain-raisers at 11am local time, followed by the match between Chinese Taipei and Australia at 1pm, Thailand and China at 4pm and Japan against Indonesia at 6pm.