CHINA, THAILAND TOP THEIR POOLS, HEADING TO QUARTER-FINALS AT ASIAD VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION
Jakarta, Indonesia, August 27, 2018 – Two unbeaten teams China and Thailand are riding high at the 18th Asian Games volleyball competition to top their pools at the GBK Tennis Indoor Stadium on Monday, as eight teams have been confirmed for the Wednesday’s action-packed quarter-finals.
Current world No.1 China and Thailand, silver medallists at the last year’s Asian Senior Women’s Championship in the Philippines, ended their campaigns in the pool round-robin preliminaries on Monday on a high note. Thailand and the Rio Olympic Games champions captured their top spots in respective Pool A and Pool B with remarkable unbeaten record.
In their last preliminary match, China, offensively strong with the likes of Zhu Ting, Li Yingying, Yan Ni, Zeng Chunlei and Yuan Xinyue, were working as a well-oiled machine, but India showed tremendous courage and defensive resilience, allowing the Chinese tough times scoring. The smaller-built Indians played without fear that they were competing against the Olympic gold medalists as they levelled China at 11-11 before the World Grand Champions Cup winners held them off to win the first set 25-18. The second set was a similar script which saw the Chinese take the hard-fought second set 25-19. As India were beginning to make errors, China made short work of the rivals to win the totally one-sided set 25-9 and match.
The highlight of the day saw Thailand overcome a strong challenge from Indonesia to overpower the determined host side in thrilling four-setter.
Thailand, which stunned Asian champions Japan in straight sets on Thursday, fielded a formidable lineup spearheaded by star spiker Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong and highly-skilled setter Nootsara Tomkom, while Indonesia were led by powerful hitter April Santini Manganang.
Chatchu-On Moksri was the Thailand’s star with 24 points, while Thatdao Nuekjang (16) also displayed plenty of craft and substance.
Thailand took the first set 25-19 and dropped the second 20-25. Some good attacks gave the hosts’ faint hopes, but the Thais were soon back in control to win the third and fourth sets with the similar margin of 25-13 25-13 and match.
“We made too many mistakes on first-ball reception, especially in the second set. Indonesia did well on serving. Their serves were fast and forceful, making our players difficulties in receiving. Additionally, Indonesia also played well in front of their fans at the packed gymnasium. We have to improve more on first-ball reception. Our target in the 18th Asian Games remains unchanged. We will do our best to finish among top four teams,” Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul commented.
Elsewhere, formidable Japan showed no mercy to Hong Kong China by crushing the inexperienced rivals in a totally one-sided battle 25-4 25-7 25-11, while title-holders Korea survived a Chinese Taipei’s scare to produce a hard-fought 26-24 25-9 25-23 win.
At the GOR Bulungan Gymnasium, Vietnam defied all the odds to stun Kazakhstan in epic 3-2 (20-25 19-25 29-27 25-19 15-7) comeback win.
At the end of the pool round-robin preliminaries of the women’s team event in the 18th Asian Games volleyball competition. Teams have been classified up to their performances in respective pools, with Thailand capturing the Pool A top spot after bagging 12 points from four straight wins. Japan came in second place with 9 points from three wins against one loss to Thailand. Hosts Indonesia, the Philippines and Hong Kong China finished third, fourth and fifth places respectively in the Pool.
China had 15 points from five straight victories to top Pool B, followed by Korea with 12 points from four wins against one loss to China. Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Chinese Taipe and India finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.
Tuesday is a rest day for the women’s teams. The women’s quarter-finals will take place at the GBK Tennis Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, with Thailand taking on Vietnam, Japan challenging Kazakhstan, Indonesia playing Korea and the Philippines going up against China.
At the GOR Bulungan Gymnasium on the same day, Hong Kong China will test their mettle against India.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
PRELIMINARIES
WOMEN
COURT 1
POOL A: Japan b Hong Kong China 3-0 (25-4 25-7 25-11)
POOL B: China b India 3-0 (25-18 25-19 25-9)
POOL A: Thailand b Indonesia 3-1 (25-19 20-25 25-13 25-13)
POOL B: Korea b Chinese Taipei 3-0 (26-24 25-9 25-23)
COURT 2
POOL B: Vietnam b Kazakhstan 3-2 (20-25 19-25 29-27 25-19 15-7)
STANDING AFTER END OF POOL ROUND-ROBIN PRELIMINARIES
POOL A: 1. Thailand 12 points; 2. Japan 9 points; 3. Indonesia 6 points; 4. Philippines 3 points; 5. Hong Kong China 0 point
POOL B: 1. China 15 points; 2. Korea 12 points; 3. Kazakstan 7 points; 4. Vietnam 6 points; 5. Chinese Taipei 4 points; 6. India 1 points
MATCH SCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
MEN
CLASSIFICATION
COURT 1
10.00am: 7-12: Thailand v Myanmar
12.30pm: 7-12: India v Pakistan
16.30pm: 1-6: Indonesia v Korea
19.00pm: 1-6: Japan v Qatar
COURT 2
12.30pm: 13-18: Nepal v Mongolia
16.30pm: 13-18: Kazakhstan v Kyrgyzstan
19.00pm: 19-20: Maldives v Hong Kong China
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