‘Pride & courage’ – Dragan Mihailovic sums up India’s AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026 journey
(Courtesy : Volleyball World)
India crashed out in the quarter-final stage
The Indian men’s volleyball team had a solid campaign in the recently concluded AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan. The Men in Blue finished eighth in the tournament.
After back-to-back 3-0 losses against China and Japan, India secured a final-day win over New Zealand. As a result, they finished third in Pool B and qualified for the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams in the tournament. However, a 3-0 loss to hosts Japan ended the Men in Blue’s campaign.
India’s head coach, Dragan Mihailovic, took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the team’s campaign in the continental tournament. The Serbian coach expressed immense pride in the team and its players, who gave it their all against some of Asia’s biggest teams.
“Looking back at our AVC Continental Championship campaign, I can sum it up in two words: pride and courage,” Mihailovic wrote. “
Also Read: India finish 8th in AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026
The head coach pointed out that the world No. 49 side was drawn into a tough pool alongside powerhouses Iran and China. Although India suffered 3-0 defeats against both, he stressed that the matches were decided by fine margins.
“We lost both matches 3-0, but three of the six sets went beyond 24 points,” he wrote, “showing how hard we fought against two of Asia’s strongest teams.”
India coach explains Japan loss
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India’s win against New Zealand and Bahrain’s 3-0 win over Oman in Pool A ensured the Men in Blue’s place in the last eight, where they faced hosts Japan. Ryujin Nippon, ranked sixth in the world, were the highest-ranked Asian team and the defending champions.
Japan’s superiority was evident as they cruised to a straight-sets 3-0 win. However, the head coach took time to explain the magnitude of the test facing the Indian team.
“We fought hard, but Japan showed exactly why they are one of the most respected teams in the world,” he wrote. “To put their level into perspective, Japan came into the tournament on the back of a 13-match VNL 2026 winning streak, beating teams like Poland and Italy. Even Korea … couldn’t get past 15 points in a single set against Japan.”
Mihailovic explained that India had entered the tournament without a single preparatory friendly. In fact, the last time the Men in Blue played was in June during the AVC Men’s Volleyball Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad.
Despite India finishing eighth in Fukuoka, Mihailovic remained optimistic about the Indian volleyball team’s future.
“There’s still a long way to go. But we’re moving forward, step by step,” the caption read. “Proud of every inch of progress we’ve made. And we’re only getting started.
How did India perform at AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026?
India finished in eighth place after reaching the quarter‑finals in Fukuoka, Japan.
Who did India face in AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026 quarter‑finals?
India lost to defending champions Japan 0-3 in the AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026 quarter‑finals.
Who won the AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026?
Japan defended their title, beating Iran 3-0 in the final.
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