Gresik, East Java, Indonesia, June 21, 2023 – Hong Kong, China celebrated their first victory in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Women after taking the tie-break, 3-2 (25-21, 25-14, 22-25, 22-25, 15-12) against Mongolia during 9th – 11th Classification match on Wednesday morning at the Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gresik Gymnasium.
Opposite To Wing Man starred in Hong Kong, China’s sweep, scoring 24 points. She provided consistent firepower as she checked in for duty in all five sets.
Ho Kin Yu also provided another 13 markers as she connected with the middle attack. Captain Chim Wing Lam suited up as a starter but had to sit out due to a sprain.
Outside hitter Yu Ying Chi commented “We really wanted to win for our captain, because she sustained a sprain during the match. We tried hard to play along Mongolia, but when we were starting to make mistakes and to lose a bit of our energy and confidence, we tried to assert ourselves to never give up
“We saw the reports of our other five-set match with Iran the other day, and I told myself, I do not want the same thing to happen. And again, I saw our captain when she played in the fifth set, she was really trying to give her best, and she even scored the first point. That was one of the key moments of this victory.”
True enough, Chim Wing Lam played hurt in the final set, yet delivered 7 points in the decider alone. Yu Ying Chi also contributed on double-digits, scoring 13 points in the match.
Much credit is due to Mongolia, which battled hard from two sets down to force a fifth. Hitters Gan-Ochir Khongorzul and Jigjidkhorol Bayanjargal delivered in clutch moments, scoring 21 points and 17 points respectively.
Teams played along in side-outs the decider, but Hong Kong, China were able to pull away as their opponents suffered from costly miscues.
Head coach Kwok Kin Chuen commented “I am really happy and really proud of this team, and I have so much trust in them. We played two tie-breaks so far, and I know that they can endure the challenge not only physically, but mentally. The way that we have played so far, enduring five sets, makes me happy enough, that we can be ready for more challenges.”
Hong Kong, China will aim for the best finish when they meet Macau, China in the 9th-11th play-off on Sunday at 09:00. Previous to that, Mongolia will face Macau, China on Saturday, likewise at 09:00. All times local.
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