Hangzhou, China, July 6, 2023 – Hosts China and Japan became the only teams unbeaten in the 1st Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship, with the former taking on Chinese Taipei and the latter facing off against Thailand in the do-or-die semifinals on Friday in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province and the host city for the upcoming Asian Games.
China beat Thailand in straight sets
Japan celebrate hard-fought 3-2 victory against Chinese Taipei
On Thursday, China captured their fourth successive win in the inaugural competition after brushing off Thailand in comfortable straight sets in the Classification 1st-8th Round in Pool E 25-15, 25-12, 25-10 at Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium.
Yang Shuming top-scored with 17 points for China, followed by Sun Hongyun and Chen Xiaohui, who contributed 12 and 9 points respectively for the host side.
“With the enthusiastic crowd supporting us all the way, we played more confidently with one aim in mind, to beat them for a place in the semifinals. Regarding the coming matches, we will spare no efforts to prepare and play our utmost on court,” said Chen Xiaohui, China’s middle blocker, at the Mixed Zone.
“In the first set, we tried to narrow the gap and bring what we’ve practiced to the court. But we couldn’t overcome the China’s dominant play. We lost one point, then we lost them all,” said Thailand head coach Jarun Niemtubtim.
The other Pool E clash saw Kazakhstan prove a cut above Uzbekistan to pull off sensational straight-set 25-17, 25-22, 25-14 win against Uzbekistan.
Outside hitter Violetta Volga bagged 15 points for Kazakhstan, middle blocker Balaiym Koilybayeva kept good company to add 13 points. Captain Absamatova Zebokhon led Uzbekistan with 11 points.
“Uzbekistan are a good team. We’ve known each other well because we are neighbors,” said Kazakhstan head coach Yergazin Rinad.
In the Classification 1st-8th Round in Pool F at Deqing Sports Centre Gymnasium, Japan survived a huge scare from Chinese Taipei to narrowly ease past the fighting opponents in hard-fought five-set thriller 25-22, 21-25, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10.
Playing with almost the same level in the action-packed clash, Japan and Chinese Taipei presented bouts of thrilling rallies throughout the match. As Chinese Taipei performed impenetrable defence with excellent service which saw them score massive 9 points from ace serves against the rivals’ 1, Japan shone through their powerful attacks and solid blocks which decided the trend of the hotly-contested game.
Captain and middle blocker Yuzuki Baba chipped in with 23 points for Japan, while Rion Chuganji contributed 21. Chen Pin-Yu scored a match-high 27 points on the Chinese Taipei’s losing effort.
The other Pool F match turned out to be one-way traffic. Iran proved their superiority over Macao, China to seal a one-sided 25-5, 25-9, 25-10 win against the unfancied rivals.
Captain and outside hitter Ghadamitabaghdehi Masi led the Iran’s charge with 10 points, while Heidarigoujani Tina and Hosseini Negar added 9 points apiece.
At the end of the Classification 1st-8th Round on Thursday, hosts China continued their remarkable unbeaten run in the championship to top Pool E with perfect 9 points from three straight wins without dropping a set to their respective rivals, followed by Thailand with 6 points from two wins against one loss.
Kazakhstan finished third in Pool E with 4 points from one win against two losses and winless Uzbekistan came in fourth position.
Formidable Japan captured the top spot in Pool F with 8 points from three wins in a row. Chinese Taipei finished second with just one point behind from two wins against one loss. Iran finished third with 3 points from one win against two losses, with winless Macao, China in fourth place with no point awarded.
On Friday, Thailand go up against Japan in the cross semifinals, while Chinese Taipei set up another highly-anticipated clash against hosts China.
In the Classification Round for 5th-8th places, Iran take on Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan meet Macao, China.
Meanwhile, the Classification Round for 9th-12th places, Mongolia captured their maiden victory in the championship following their dramatic 25-14, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19 win against Australia at Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium.
Outside hitters Shinejargal Khaliunaa and Altantogoo Amarbayasgalan contributed 10 points apiece for Mongolia, while outside hitter Lillian Kelly and middle blocker Florence Liu handed Australia 14 points each on the team’s loss.
“It was our last match, so we tried our best to win it. It’s our first victory so I’m so happy. After losing the third set, we felt disappointed, but we just did not want to give up easily. We went on fighting. I think our teamwork worked out pretty well today, much better than our other games, said Mongolia’s setter Shinejargal Khaliunaa.
“Mongolia played very well. They had good serves with powerful attacks. In the third set, we won more points and that’s how we won the set. But Mongolia are a very good team. They scrimmaged very well and deserved the win today,” Australia head coach Rachael Georgieff commented after the match.
Australia and Hong Kong, China set up the last clash in the Classification 9th-12th Round on Friday morning.
As of Thursday’s standing, Hong Kong China and Mongolia had 3 points apiece, but the former led the pack, having played their first match and will next take on Australia. Mongolia finished second after completion of two matches. Australia came in third place, losing their first clash to Mongolia and set to play Hong Kong, China on Friday.
Saturday, July 8 is the final day of the championship, with top three teams qualifying for the next year’s FIVB Volleyball Girl’s U17 World Championship.
MATCH RESULTS
Saturday, July 1
10:30 Japan v Australia 3-0 (25-6, 25-12, 25-18)
10:30 Thailand v Hong Kong, China 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-16)
19:30 China v Mongolia 3-0 (25-11, 25-9, 25-16)
Sunday, July 2
10:30 Kazakhstan v Thailand 2-3 (25-23, 11-25, 14-25, 25-23, 8-15)
10:30 Iran v Japan 0-3 (16-25, 19-25, 20-25)
15:00 Uzbekistan v China 0-3 (7-25, 10-25, 8-25)
Monday, July 3
10:30 Mongolia v Uzbekistan 0-3 (11-25, 18-25, 22-25)
10:30 Hong Kong, China v Kazakhstan 2-3 (31-29, 25-23, 11-25, 14-25, 15-17)
15:00 Australia v Iran 0-3 (15-25, 20-25, 16-25)
15:00 Chinese Taipei v Macao, China 3-0 (25-9, 25-7, 25-4)
Tuesday, July 4
10:30 Mongolia v Hong Kong, China 1-3 (21-25, 20-25, 25-17, 15-25)
15:00 Thailand v Uzbekistan 3-0 (25-4, 25-7, 25-7)
19:00 China v Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-6)
15:00 Japan v Macao, China 3-0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-4)
19:00 Chinese Taipei v Iran 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-15)
Wednesday, July 5
Rest Day
Thursday, July 6
10:30 Mongolia v Australia 3-1 (25-14, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19)
15:00 Uzbekistan v Kazakhstan 0-3 (17-25, 22-25, 14-25)
19:00 China v Thailand 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-10)
15:00 Iran v Macao, China 3-0 (25-5, 25-9, 25-10)
19:00 Japan v Chinese Taipei 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10)
MATCH SCHEDULE (All local times)
Friday, July 7
10:30 Australia v Hong Kong, China
15:00 Kazakhstan v Macao, China
19:00 Uzbekistan v Iran
15:00 Thailand v Japan
19:00 China v Chinese Taipei
Saturday, July 8
Final Day
Playoffs
15:00 Final 7-8
19:00 Final 5-6
15:00 Bronze medal match
19:00 Championship match
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