Hangzhou, China, July 8, 2023 – Japan stunned hosts China in dramatic four-setter in the highly-anticipated final showdown to be crowned champions in the first edition of the Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship at Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium here on Saturday.
With top three teams qualifying for the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship, Japan, China and Chinese Taipei now carry the Asia’s high hopes in the global stage next year.
Over 5000 spectators thronged into the gymnasium on Saturday to support the home team in the final, but had to leave the venue with their heads low in disappointment as Japan performed superbly to power past China 25-19, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19 for the eventual crown.
Captain Yuzuki Baba registered a match-high 22 points for Japan, while Yang Shuming contributed 20 points on the China’s losing effort.
In the third-place playoff clash earlier, Thailand had another disappointing day, as they were sent packing by Chinese Taipei in straight sets 18-25, 19-25, 9-25. Chinese Taipei picked up bronze medal, while the Thai team had to be content with the fourth position.
“We expected to finish Top 3, but we could not make it. My girls were under pressure and we did not play well today. We lost the game,” Thailand head coach Jarun Niemtubtim commented at the Mixed Zone.
Chen Pin-Yu chipped in with 16 points for Chinese Taipei, while Chou Yi-Han and Wu Tzu-Hua kept good company to add 14 and 12 points respectively.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan recovered from the first-set loss to beat Iran 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18) to take the fifth place, leaving the Iranians to return with the sixth position.
Violetta Volga contributed 14 points for Kazakhstan, with Karina Balmukhambetova adding 12 points. Mohammadi Nilofar led Iran with 13 points.
In the 7th-8th playoff match, Uzbekistan clinched the seventh place after 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-7) rout of Macao, China at Deqing Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Captain Absamatova Zebokhon contributed 14 points for the winning side. Kaldigaraeva Uljan handed the team additional 10 points.
“We did a good job today. We’re happy to win the match,” said Uzbekistan assistant coach Ayimbetova Armanay.
“We tried our best. It’s our first time to compete in such a high-class tournament, which allows us good chance to gain experience and exposure,” said Macao, China head coach Lau Ho Ian.
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)
19:00 Opening Ceremony
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)
Friday, July 7
10:30 Australia v Hong Kong, China 0-3 (12-25, 13-25, 20-25)
15:00 Kazakhstan v Macao, China 3-0 (25-4, 25-9, 25-12)
19:00 Uzbekistan v Iran 0-3 (9-25, 19-25, 20-25)
15:00 Thailand v Japan 0-3 (22-25, 13-25, 18-25)
19:00 China v Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-18)
Saturday, July 8
15:00 Final 7-8: Macao, China v Uzbekistan 0-3 (22-25, 14-25, 7-25)
19:00 Final 5-6: Kazakhstan v Iran 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18)
15:00 Bronze Medal Match: Thailand v Chinese Taipei 0-3 (18-25, 19-25, 9-25)
19:00 Gold Medal Match: Japan v China 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19)
POOL RANKING
FINAL RANKING
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation