Ulanbaataar, Mongolia, May 25, 2017 – Japan managed to defend the title after edging past Chinese Taipei 3-1 (31-29, 16-25, 25-17, 27-25) in the final showdown of the 2017 Asian Eastern Zonal Men’s Volleyball Championship on Friday.
Aiming to gain a sweet revenge against Japan and smash their high hopes of defending their title, Chinese Taipei started the match in a surprisingly smooth way as they quickly established a 5-0 lead. The gap was maintained from 8-4 at the first technical time-out to 16-9 at the second. Japan began to show their real power, suppressing Chinese Taipei from scoring with their dogged and impenetrable defense. On the offense side, the ball was always transported to the right position of both wings for spiking. In a very short time, Japan magically chased up to a 24-24 tie. Chinese Taipei fought hard to save the set point several times but following a spiking error, they regretfully missed the close first set 29-31.
Chinese Taipei hit back aggressively to win the second set 25-16, but Japan regained their pride lost in the second to take the third set 25-17.
Chinese Taipei recommitted the same mistakes in the fourth set. They led all the way from 4-0 to 8-3 and then 16-11. But again they could hardly move forward since 20-15, seeing Japan score constantly to a 21-21 tie. Both sides exchanged point by point until 25-25. Huang Chien-Feng, who could often emit ace serves during this championship, failed this time and following a clean block by Japan, Chinese Taipei had to give it up and face the cruel failure.
With a remarkable unbeaten record, Japan successfully defended their title, with Chinese Taipei in the similar second position.
In the bronze-medal match, Korea showed no mercy to hosts Mongolia and dashed their hopes of stepping on the top-three podium after a straight-set 25-19, 25-20, 25-15 win.
Macao still could not find a way in getting a win and had to finish at the bottom of the championship following a 0-3 (17-25, 24-26, 8-25) loss to DPR Korea in their final match. DPR Korea were fifth, followed by Hong Kong, China.
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 one part of the celebration for the 90th anniversary of the development of volleyball in Mongolia and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Mongolian Volleyball Association.
According to the AVC Eastern Zonal Annual Conference during the Championship, the 2018 Asian Eastern Zonal Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held in Zhangjiagang City, China.
Match 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 0-3 (17-25, 24-26, 8-25)
13:00 (Bronze Medal Match) Korea – Mongolia 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-15)
15:00 (Gold Medal Match) Japan – Chinese Taipei 3-1 (31-29, 16-25, 25-17, 27-25)
Closing Ceremony
Final Rankings
1. Japan
2. Chinese Taipei
3. Korea
4. Mongolia
5. DPR Korea
6. Hong Kong
7. Macao
Individual Awards
Most Valuable Player: No. 5 Otake Issei (Japan)
Best Coach: Matsui Taiji (Japan)
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