China, Thailand, Japan and Korea remain unbeaten
Jiangmen, China, July 5, 2024 – China, Thailand, Japan and Korea captured convincing straight-set wins on Friday to set the scene for clash of Titans in the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium, with Thailand going up against China and Japan challenging Korea to fight for Pool E and Pool F winners.
The 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship serves as the Asian qualification for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship, top four teams in Jiangmen will qualify for the next year’s world meet, while China automatically qualified as current world champions.
In the much-anticipated last 8 stage, China, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Vietnam are contesting playoff matches in Pool E, with Japan, India, Korea and Chinese Taipei testing their mettle in Pool F. Only top two teams from each pool will not only progress to the semifinals but also secure their places in the next year’s U21 World Championship. At the same time, the four lower-ranked sides (teams finishing 3rd and 4th places in Pool E and Pool F) will be relegated to classification round for 5th-8th places.
On Friday, the first day of the round of last 8, indomitable China overwhelmed Vietnam with their height and explosive power to brush off the unfancied opponents in a lopsided battle 25-14, 25-13, 25-12 in Pool E.
China had three players reaching double digits in scoring, with middle blocker Chen Houyu, 193cm, delivering 17 points from 7 kills, 7 blocks and 3 aces. Dong Yuhan, 189cm, and Li Chenxuan, 187cm, contributed 13 and 10 points respectively. The Chinese side also limited the rivals’ offense to the point that no Vietnamese player got to reach double digits in scoring against them. Outside hitter Bui Thi Anh Thao was the most productive player for Vietnam with 8 points, while middle blocker Le Thuy Linh and Le Nhu Anh claimed 5 points apiece.
The Chinese dominance was also visible in the match chart as the winners dominated in all elements comprising in kill s(44 to 25), blocks (11 to 2), aces (9 to 4) aside from benefiting from more opponent error (11 to 8).
Also contesting Pool E on Friday were Thailand, which put it past Kazakstan in convincing straight sets 25-17, 25-16, 25-16.
Opposite Papatchaya Phontham scored a match-high 21 points from 20 kills and one ace for Thailand, while middle blocker Thipsuda Bualai and outside hitter Tanyapron Seeso contributed 7 and 6 points respectively. Outside hitter and skipper Sofiya Gorbacheva scored 9 points, all in attack, on the Kazakhstan’s loss.
In Pool F, reigning champions Japan had no issues in powering past Chinese Taipei in easy encounter 25-11, 25-16, 25-13 to stay on course in the nine-day championship.
Outside hitter Omori Sae delivered a match-high 17 points, all in attack, for Japan, while fellow outside hitters Miku Akimoto and Riri Kasai added 12 and 10 points respectively. Opposite Hsu Fang-Min led Chinese Taipei with 6 points, all in kill.
Korea also maintained their unbeaten streak in Pool F after demolishing India in comfortable straight sets 25-16, 25-18, 25-10 on Friday.
Outside hitter Lee Jua was the Korea’s leading scorer of the match with a total of 14 points including 13 attacks from 20 attempts to her name, followed by middle blockers Lee Jiyun and Kim Sebeen with 9 and 8 respectively. Kavita led India with 12 points from 11 attacks and one block.
The last 8 stage continues on Saturday to determine the top two teams from Pool E and Pool F to advance to the semifinals, four unbeaten teams are set for the action-packed encounters, with Japan battling it out with Korea and Thailand going up against China. The remaining two matches see Kazakhstan take on Vietnam and India challenge Chinese Taipei.
POOL RANKING AND RESULTS
POOL E
POOL F
MATCH SCHEDULE
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