Ulanbaataar, Mongolia, May 24, 2017 – Chinese Taipei gained another chance to set up the final rematch with title-holders Japan at the Finals after a convincing straight set win over Korea in the semi-finals of 2017 Asian Eastern Zonal Men’s Volleyball Championship on Wednesday.
The match lasted 59 minutes as Chinese Taipei dominated the whole match for a 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-15) victory.
In the other match of the semi-finals, hosts Mongolia fought hard to their utmost with the support from around 4,000 spectators but still was knocked out by powerhouses Japan in 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-19).
Despite a 16-25 loss in the first set, Mongolia reformed their morale in the second set as they kept it reasonably close until 19-20 behind. But Japan managed to pull away to 22-19. Mongolia called a timeout but in vain and following a powerful spike by Kodama Yasunari from the right wing, Japan ended the set in 25-20.
Mongolia started the third set in a mighty way to a 3-1 lead and kept up with Japan to 7-8 at the first technical time-out. But they suddenly misfired seeing Japan rush to a 14-7 lead. No matter what they tried, Mongolia could not turn the tide and finally lost the third set in 19-25.
Mongolia will fight against Korea in the bronze medal match on the final day.
In their last match of the Championship, Hong Kong performed a comeback 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-15, 25-14) triumph over Macao and their ranking will be decided by the match between Macao and DPR Korea on the final day.
The Asian Eastern Zonal Men’s Volleyball Championship is a biennial official competition of AVC Eastern Zonal Volleyball Association. The championship this year serves as a celebration for the 90th anniversary of the development of volleyball in Mongolia and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Mongolian Volleyball Association. Last edition was also held in Ulanbaataar of Mongolia with Japan claiming the title, Chinese Taipei runners-up and Korea in third place.
Match schedule and results:
May 20
15:00 Hong Kong, China – DPR Korea 0-3 (11-25, 17-25, 14-25)
17:00 Japan – Chinese Taipei 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17)
19:00 Korea – Macao, China 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-9)
May 21
14:00 Chinese Taipei – DPR Korea 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-21)
16:00 Opening Ceremony
17:00 Mongolia – Macao, China 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-17)
19:00 Japan – Hong Kong, China 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-16)
May 22
15:00 Chinese Taipei – Hong Kong, China 3-0 (25-15,25-16, 25-17)
17:00 DPR Korea – Japan 2-3 (22-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 11-15)
19:00 Mongolia – Korea 2-3 (25-19, 28-30, 21-25, 25-22, 9-15)
May 23
Rest Day
May 24
15:00 Macao, China – Hong Kong, China 1-3 (25-23, 13-25, 15-25, 14-25)
17:00 Korea – Chinese Taipei 0-3 (15-25, 16-25, 15-25)
19:00 Japan – Mongolia 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-19)
May 25
11:00 Macao, China – DPR Korea
13:00 (Bronze Medal Match) Korea – Mongolia
15:00 (Gold Medal Match) Japan – Chinese Taipei
Closing Ceremony
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