China, Japan, Korea, hosts Thailand send rivals packing in last 8 playoffs of Asian Girls’ U17 Championship Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, October 15, 2004 – World champions China, Asian winners Japan, Korea and hosts Thailand turned tough nuts to crack in the 10th Asian Girls’ U17 Volleyball Championship on Tuesday at The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall as they all continue unbeaten run. China b New Zealand 3-0 (25-10 25-11 25-4) In their first Pool E clash against New Zealand in the 1st-8th playoffs, world No.1 China, which finished second on home soil in the previous edition two years ago in Chengdu, fielded a formidable line-up which beat the Philippines in a totally one-sided battle. They included the two towers, 192cm southpaw Li Yingying and 194cm Han Wenya, hard-attacking Qian Jingwen and Zhang Yuqian, while New Zealand relied on Cloo Lichtenberg and Emma Gardiner. New Zealand had Imogen Francis as the only player whose height is over 185cm, while China, with five players standing 185cm tall and over, used their height advantage to block effectively. China, which captured the world title here in Nakhon Ratchasima last year, opened up strongly in the first set, thanks to Li Yingying, who thrashed the smaller blockers with her exceptional attacks. China raced to a wide 8-1 lead and enjoyed the unchallenged run to the 16-3 lead. New Zealand, which suffered their loss to hosts Thailand in their second encounter in the preliminary Pool A, proved no match against the much stronger rivals to go down tamely 10-25 in the comfortable set. The Kiwis tried to put their acts together in the second set, but China still dominated the whole game. Li Yingying attacked spectacularly at the wing and combined well with Han Wenya and Jiang Jing for some solid blockings. China sealed the set victory 25-11 for a commanding 2-0 lead. The third set turned out to become a completely one-sided affair when China went on their onslaughts with aggressive attacks and stuff blocking. The indomitable giants allowed the Kiwis only four points throughout the set for a convincing victory in the match. As expected, Li Yingying led China with 16 points including eight kills. She also led in the blocking and serving skills with three blocks and five ace serves. Cloo Lichtenberg emerged as the top scorer of New Zealand with only five points. Thailand b the Philippines 3-0 (25-15 25-12 25-13) World No.17 Thailand, which have never played in the final showdown of the biennial championship, continued their remarkable unbeaten run in the nine-day meet. After a perfect sweep in Pool A, the host side on Tuesday came up with drastically-improved form. With terrific Chatchu-on Moksri, the only player who joined the Thailand national senior squad for the recent FIVB World Championship in Italy and the AVC Cup in Shenzhen, China, spearheading the team, Thailand entertained a large crowd of home spectators packing the competition venue with their superb form. Chatchu-on and Pimpichaya Kokram joined hands in piercing the Philippine defence with their fierce spikes to help Thailand take an early 4-1 lead before widening the gap to 18-9. The Filipinas held their nerves, hoping for a comeback challenge. However, their game was error-filled, allowing the Thai girls attacking opportunities. Thailand snatched the first set 25-15. Natthanich Jaisaen carried out well-placed serves to give Thailand an initial 2-0 lead. Assisted by deadly smashes from Pimpichaya and Chatchu-on, Thailand stretched the lead to 5-0. Lightning-fast spikes from Paweenut Ruengram and scintillating blockings by Paweenut and Chatchu-on sparked the host team to a 10-point lead for a 20-10 advantage. To make short work of the rivals, the Thai girls allowed the Philippines only two more points to wrap up the set 25-12. Thailand still took command in the third set, which the visitors failed to make their mark in blocking the aggressive Thai attacks. As Thailand were leading commandingly at 24-13, Chatchu-on produced a powerful mid-court spike which went unanswered. Thailand ended the visitors’ entire challenge, taking the set 25-13 and the easy match. Pimpichaya Kokram topscored with 18 points for Thailand including 14 deadly attacks. Natthanicha Jaisaen led the serving skill with four ace serves. Maria Lina Isabel Molde remained the top scorer of the Philippines with six points in this match. “My girls did a good job in this match. Chatchu-on and Pimpichaya performed well in attacks and we tried to reduce our unforced serving mistakes. I think my girls came up with improved form in this match. However, against the Chinese in our next match is not this easy. We have to improve on our blocking because the Chinese are very tall with fine attacks. With the supports from the crowd, I believe that my girls will play their best and who knows, they might spring a surprise,” commented Thailand’s head coach Tanasak Rattanarasi after the match. After the first day of the playoffs, China and Thailand remain on course in Pool E with similar six points from straight two wins against no loss. On Wednesday, powerhouses China will take on the hosts to vie for the Pool E top spot. The Philippines and New Zealand have so far collected no point from two losses and will face off for a better position in the pool. Japan b Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-18 25-14 25-16) Title-holders and consecutive four-time Asian champions Japan, which stunned hosts China and their home supporters to reign supreme in the previous edition in Chengdu two years ago, fielded a full-strength squad led by powerful Airi Miyabe, the team’s tallest player with the height of 181cm, while Chinese Taipei were led by Huang Ching-Hsuan and Liu Shuang-Ling. Contesting Pool F in the playoffs round of last eight teams, Japan came up with an excellent teamwork and combination. Airi Miyabe unleashed a series of fierce cross-court attacks, while Shior Aratani and Haruka Sekiyama producing stuff blocks. Chinese Taipei responded with attack hits from Huang Ching-Hsuan and Liu Shuang-Ling. However, Japan fared better offensively and defensively to bag the first set 25-18. Japan played impenetrable defence in the second set, allowing the rivals scoring difficulties. Despite putting in a strong challenge, Chinese Taipei had no answer to the well-organised Japan’s incredible tactics. Japan clinched the second set 25-14. Taking a 2-0 lead, Japan still gained the upper hand in the third set. Airi Miyabed penetrated the Taiwanese defence with her explosive spikes to help put the Japanese in front 16-11 and advanced to 22-15 after Chinese Taipei’s attacks collapsed. Japan allowed the rivals one more point to take the set 25-16 and the match. Captain Airi Miyabe scored a match-high 15 points including 13 kills from 30 attempts, while Shiori Aratani and Haruka Sekiyama shared three points apiece from their solid blockings. Huang Ching-Hsuan led Chinese Taipei with seven points. Korea b Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-20 25-23 25-17) In the other Pool F clash, Korea, the world No.23 which are chasing dreams of winning the Asian crown for the first time in history, struggled to beat the fast-improving Kazakhstan in their crucial match on Tuesday. Determined Kazakhstan, led by Margarita Belchenko, fought hard in a tough match against the formidable Koreans. The Kazakhs performed very well to seriously challenge Korea to catch the crack rivals at 20-20 in the opening set, but Korea proved steadier to score successive five points for the set win 25-20. The second set was more thrilling when both sides came out with their best form to topple each other. Twinkling serves by Mechshaninova and attack hits by Mariya Kim helped Kazakhstan hot on the rivals’ heels at 18-20 and 22-24. Kazakhstan saved one point from Dinara Kozhamberdina’s sharp attack to go down 23-25 in the set. In the third set, Kazakhstan remained in form to chase Korea for crucial points. However, the Koreans proved their win over Chinese Taipei in the preliminaries was no fluke. They attacked heavily and blocked well to capture the set 25-17 and the thrilling match. Yoo Seoyeun emerged as the top scorer of Korea with 17 points, while Margarita Belchenko led Kazakhstan with nine points. Japan and Korea shared six points from straight two wins, while Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan lost two in a row to collect no point. On Wednesday, Japan and Korea will battle it out for the top spot in Pool F, while Kazakhstan clash with Chinese Taipei for a better position in the pool. Meanwhile , the 9th-13th playoffs in Pool G on Tuesday saw Hong Kong register their first victory in the championship after coming from behind to beat Australia in four sets 13-25 25-16 25-15 25-20. The playoffs in round of last eight teams will continue through Wednesday. The classification will be made after that and the knock-out quarter-finals will take place on Friday. Two matches in the 9th-13th playoffs will be held on Thursday. Tuesday’s results 9th-13th playoff Pool G: Hong Kong b Australia 3-1 (13-25 25-16 25-15 25-20) 1st-8th playoffs Pool E: China b New Zealand 3-0 (25-10 25-11 25-4); Thailand b the Philippines 3-0 (25-15 25-12 25-13) Pool F: Japan b Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-18 25-14 25-16); Korea b Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-20 25-23 25-17) Match schedule Wednesday, October 15, 2014 1st-8th playoffs 12pm: Pool E: A2 (New Zealand) v C2 (Philippines) 2pm: Pool F: B2 (Kazakhstan) v D2 (Chinese Taipei) 4pm: Pool F: B1 (Japan) v D1 (Korea) 6pm: Pool E: A1 (Thailand) v C1 (China) Photos 1.Thailands Kanittha Juangjan spikes past Philippine blocker. 2. Chinas Qian Jingwen and New Zealand battle for the ball. 3. Koreas Yoo Seoyeun attacks Kazakhstan. 4. Chinese Taipeis Lin Shu-Ho sets for a pike. 5. Thailands Chatchu-on Moksri penetrates the Philippine defence with her attack.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 06:29:28 +0000
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