Hanoi, Vietnam, July 16, 2019 – Hosts Vietnam, DPR Korea, China and Kazakhstan finished top of their pools at conclusion of the pool round-robin preliminaries of the 3rd Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Championship on Monday.
Vietnam, which mercilessly crushed underdogs, pint-sized Maldives in a completely one-sided battle 25-1 25-2 25-2 in their last Pool A match on Monday, captured the top spot in Pool A with 6 points from two straight wins, while New Zealand had 3 points from 1 win against 1 loss to come in second place. Maldives have yet won a single set in this championship to finish third in the pool.
In Pool B, DPR Korea made it two in a row including a stunning 3-1 victory over powerhouses Thailand, silver medallists at 2015 and 2017 editions, and topped Pool B with 6 points. Thailand outclassed Australia in three-setter 25-15 25-15 26-24 on Monday to come in second place, with Aussies in third position.
As expected, indomitable China proved invincible in Pool C to top the pool with 6 points. On Monday, China thrashed India in a one-sided affair 25-7 25-10 25-10 in their last preliminary match. Chinese Taipei finished second in the pool after bagging 3 points from 1 win against 1 loss. India ended in third position with no point.
In Pool D, Kazakhstan tamed Sri Lanka in straight sets 25-6 25-15 25-10 and Hong Kong China brushed off Macau China 25-12 25-16 25-12 on Monday. Kazakhstan maintained their top spot in Pool D with 9 points from 3 consecutive wins, while Hong Kong China came in second place with 6 points from 2 wins against 1 loss. Macau China had 3 points from 1 win against 2 losses to finish third, with winless Sri Lanka in fourth position.
Following the competition format, top two teams from each pool advanced to round of the top eight and teams finishing third and fourth places in each pool were relegated to classification round for 9th-13th places.
As a result, the round of top eight teams will see hosts Vietnam and New Zealand join China and Chinese Taipei in Pool E, while DPR Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong China compete in Pool F.
Classification for 9th-13th places will see Maldives join India in Pool G, with Australia, Macau China and Sri Lanka in Pool H.
Tuesday was a rest day. As Control Committee members and local organisers spent most of their time outdoors sightseeing and enjoyed the natural scenery that the Vietnamese capital offers including the Halong Bay as well as shopping at Vincom Mega Mall Royal City and Aeon Mall Shopping Complex, participating teams underwent their morning training stints in preparation for tougher tasks in the next round and went shopping in the afternoon.
However, all participants including Control Committee, Referees, participating teams and officials were invited to join a gala dinner hosted by the Volleyball Federation of Vietnam in the evening.
The competition resumes on Wednesday in the playoffs for both the top eight teams and 9th-13th places.
At Gia Lam Gymnasium, China will take on New Zealand and hosts Vietnam play Chinese Taipei in Pool E, while Pool F features DPR Korea in action against Hong Kong China and Thailand against Kazakhstan.
At Tay Ho Gymnasium, Maldives challenge India and Australia test their mettle against Sri Lanka.
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