Jiangmen, China, July 8, 2024 – Fired-up China put it past the determined Koreans in dramatic four sets in the semifinals of the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium here on Monday.
The fantastic 25-6, 25-4, 20-25, 25-17 win has carried China to the final rematch with closest rivals and defending champions Japan, the team they had already met in 12 finals of this championship. China, current U21 world champions and former 12-time Asian U20 winners on Monday took the first two sets with ease 25-6, 25-4 in their Monday’s semifinal clash against Korea, went down in the third set 20-25 to capture the fourth set 25-17, match and a final berth.
China were strong offensively with the likes of Shan Linqian and Wang Yindi, both of them competed in the gold medal-winning China team at the last year’s FIVB Women’s U21 World Championship in Mexico and Li Chenxuan and Chen Houyu, both of whom joined China at the last year’s FIVB Women’s U19 World Championship in Croatia/Hungary. Korea were also formidable in their offensive system, orchestrated by Li Jua, Jeon Dabin and Lee Jiyun.
China opened up with mighty attacks from Li Chenxuan and Guo Xiangling and powerful jump serves from Shan Linqian to race to a 15-4 lead in the first set. Korea head coach Chang Yoon Hee shuffled her lineup, replacing Jeon Dabin with Song Eunchae to improve on game strategy. However, it was in vain as China stormed on with attacks and solid blocks, utilizing their height advantage at the net. China took the totally lopsided set 25-6.
The second set was a similar script as Korea proved no match against the much stronger and taller China, whose height average is 186cm against the Korea’s 177cm. The Chinese side completely dominated on the court to master an emphatic 25-4 win in another completely lopsided affair.
Korea replaced first setter Kim Daeun with Kim Yeonsu and things started to change for better. Korea coped well with the Chinese tactics and played neck and neck until 13-13 when they captured the lead and began to gain control. China switched players on court with substitutions including powerful Dong Yuhan and she was a great source of help as China clawed their way back to momentarily trail the opponents 19-24, thanks to Dong’s attack. However, she could not make it on her second attempt as her serve went into the net to give Korea another life to come back.
China still led the way in the fourth set, with Shan Linqian producing ace serves and Guo Xiangling and Chen Houyu blocking everything. As Shan Linqian brought China to the set and match point at 24-17 with her attack, Dong Yuhan hammered a match winner to completely end the Korean challenge.
Li Chenxuan delivered a match-high 21 points from 16 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces for China, while Shan Linqian and Chen Houyu added 13 points apiece. Lee Jua scored 10 points including 8 attacks from 32 attempts on the Korea’s loss.
Following the win, China will next set up rematch final with Japan, while Korea also contest the bronze-medal rematch with Thailand.
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