Qatari spikers are raring to go at the biennial GCC Championship, which begins in Dammam on Monday.
Qatar finished as runners-up in the 2013 edition and would look to make amends for that disappointment.
Two years ago, they had lost to Bahrain in the decisive clash of the round-robin tournament and that cost coach Igor Arbutina his job.
Argentinian Juan Manuel Cichello replaced the Croat and has changed the team’s fortunes since then as Qatar finished sixth at the ’14 Incheon Asian Games and fourth, their best-ever performance, at the Asian Championship in Tehran in August, ’15.
The players took part in a training camp in Poland as part of their preparations for the GCC event, which will be played in a round-robin format.
“I’m happy with the preparations. The players are showing their willingness to play their hearts out,” said Cichello.
Qatar had defeated Kuwait in a one-off friendly at home and that should also boost their confidence.
Qatar begin their campaign against Oman on the opening day of the competition, which ends on October 18.
* Doha Stadium Plus