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| Japan's disciplined defence managed to frustrate Korea's attacks enough to win their close-fought showdown |
Korea, who finished runners-up to China in the previous edition of the tournament two years ago, left disappointed from the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium on Sunday following a bitter 1-3 (18-25, 25-17, 19-25, 23-25) loss to Japan in the quarter-finals.
Both Japan, the FIVB world No.7, and Korea, the world No.19, played exceptionally well from the beginning.
The gifted Lee Jae-yeong became a scoring machine for Korea, unleashing a series of devastating spikes, but Japan could call on the combination of aggressive offensive attacks from Momoka Oda and Sakura Doi, and scintillating blocking by Misaki Yamauchi and Makiko Homma, in blunting the Korean challenge. Japan took the opening set 25-18.
Korea came back much stronger in the second set. They regrouped well to attack the well-established Japanese, who came up short in some crucial moments, giving up attacking opportunities to the Koreans. Korea clinched the second set 25-17.
Korea continued their aggression in the third set, but Japan held their nerves and produced a strong defence. Lee Jae-yeong remained a dominant force for Korea, attacking spectacularly from all corners. Nonetheless, Japan boosted, spiked and blocked with superb skills and sealed the third set 25-19.
With their backs against the wall, Korea poured everything they had into the fourth set. They fought hard, with the explosive Lee Jae-yeong overcoming the Japanese blockers with her thundering cross-court spikes and Lee Da-yeong and Jeong Da-woun setting up solid blocking.
The on-going battle became more thrilling as the leads changed hands several times. Japan played cool under pressure and remained in awesome form in the home stretch to capture the closely-contested set 25-23 and win the exciting clash.
Lee Jae-yeong finished with a match-high 30 points, including 27 kills, while Momoka Oda bagged 14 points for Japan.
Korea, who previously went down to the home side 1-3 in the Pool E playoffs, left the court in great despair following the let-down. Some players were in tears. Japan were on cloud nine, jumping in the air with great joy and happily hugging one another.
With the victory, Japan booked a semi-final berth in the prestigious championship and a ticket to contest next year’s FIVB World Junior Women’s Championship in Czech Republic.
In Monday’s do-or-die semi-finals, Japan go up against old foes China, the team they suffered the humiliating straight-set loss to in the Pool F playoffs.
Earlier, the FIVB world No.1 China, defending and nine-time champions who finished third at the previous FIVB World Junior Women’s Championship in Peru last year, pulled off a sensational straight-set (25-12, 25-4, 25-16) victory over Kazakhstan.
China fielded a strong line-up with the likes of 193cm-tall Xu Ruayo, Zhu Ting, Tang Ningya and Chen Xintong. After crushing the Kazakhs to win the first two sets without much difficulty 25-12 and 25-4, China replaced their best players with all substitutions including Zheng Yixin, Chen Jiao, Li Weiwei, Wang Fengjiao and Yang Fangxu in the third set. Still, the game was dominated by the Chinese.
Despite a gallant fight, Kazakhstan proved no match for the much stronger Chinese, who captured the set 25-16. China, the only team yet losing a set to their respective rivals, advanced to the semi-finals and a rematch with Japan. Sunday’s victory has also guaranteed China a berth in next year’s world meet.
Xu Ruayo claimed nine points for China, while Anastassiya Rostovchshidova emerged as the top scorer of Kazakhstan with eight points.
“I replaced my best players with substitutions in the third set and it’s not a big deal that they made some mistakes. Fortunately, we are stronger than Kazakhstan and that’s why we won this match easily. Our next match against Japan will be much tougher, but we beat them already in this tournament. So, I’m still convinced that my team will repeat the feat,” commented China coach Xu Jiande. “In preparation for this championship, we spent around 15 days in Europe, where we played friendly matches with national junior teams of Germany, Belgium and Italy and we beat them all. That achievement has boosted our confidence of retaining our title here.”
Hosts Thailand and Chinese Taipei also joined China and Japan in the semi-finals following their straight-set wins over India and Iran, respectively.
Thailand played a below-par performance to brush off India 25-13, 25-21, 25-15, while Chinese Taipei fared well in outclassing Iran 25-17, 25-16, 25-17.
“I’m glad that my team won this match against India, but not satisfied with their performance. It was far from impressive. The first-ball reception was below standard, while our attacking still lacked power and strength. If you play with this form, you can’t beat Chinese Taipei in the next round,” said Thailand coach Nataphon Srisamutnak.
“I think we still have many things to learn ahead of that crucial match. If possible, I would like my team to play in the final. History will repeat itself if we happen to beat China in the showdown as our senior women’s team did last month at the AVC Cup in Kazakhstan,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 9th-12th playoffs at the Ratchaburi Gymnasium saw Vietnam struggle to beat New Zealand 3-2 (25-22, 25-14, 22-25, 20-25, 15-4) and Australia downed Hong Kong 25-14, 25-9, 25-17.
In the 13th-16th playoffs, Sri Lanka beat Turkmenistan in straight sets (25-15, 25-17, 25-22) and Mongolia thrashed winless Kuwait (25-6, 25-2, 25-7).
Results
In Nakhon Pathom
Quarter-finals:
Thailand v India 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15); China v Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-12, 25-4, 25-16); Japan v Korea 3-1 (25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23); Chinese Taipei v Iran 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-17)
In Ratchaburi
9th-12th playoffs:
Vietnam v New Zealand 3-2 (25-22, 25-14, 22-25, 20-25, 15-4); Australia v Hong Kong 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-17)
13th-16th playoffs:
Sri Lanka v Turkmenistan 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-22); Mongolia v Kuwait 3-0 (25-6, 25-2, 25-7)
Match schedule
October 8
In Nakhon Pathom
10.00am: 5th-8th playoff - Korea v Kazakhstan
12.00pm: 5th-8th playoff – Iran v India
3pm: semi-finals – Thailand v Chinese Taipei
5pm: semi-finals – China v Japan
In Ratchaburi
10.00am: 15th-16th playoff - Turkmenistan v Kuwait
12.00pm: 13th-14th playoff - Sri Lanka v Mongolia
3pm: 11th-12th playoff - New Zealand v Hong Kong5pm: 9th-10th playoff - Australia v Vietnam
source:http://www.fivb.org  |
| The Chinese team's height advantage showed in their October 1 victory over Mongolia |
At Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium
Pool B
Reigning and nine-time champions China fielded a strong team against Mongolia. The FIVB world No.1 used their height advantage to attack aggressively at the net, with the 193cm-tall Xu Ruayo tearing the Mongolian defence apart with her exceptional spikes.
Mongolia played to their level, but proved no match for the much stronger Chinese, who came out with fantastic offensive combinations led by Xu’s powerful jump serves and spectacular spikes.
After conceding the first two sets 9-25 and 10-25, the Mongolians found China impossible to crack and fell 7-25 in the third set. Tang Ningya bagged 16 points for China, while Ganbold Enkhnaran top-scored for Mongolia with six points, all of them from devastating attacks.
“I’m happy that my team won the first match here. We played at our training level. In preparation for our title defence here, we have trained intensively for three months,” said China coach Xu Jiande. “My team also had a chance to sharpen our skills against European counterparts. We travelled to Belgium, Italy and Germany for warm-up matches against their national junior teams. I’d set two targets in this tournament – securing a final berth and beating our rivals in the final clash.”
After winning their thrilling first set against Vietnam 25-19, India played more confidently in the second set, with Athira Chalingal Chand showing her grit in attacking aggressively and Nishya Joseph producing scintillating blocking.
Vietnam put their act together hoping to make amends for the loss in the first set, and caught up with the Indians at 14-14 thanks largely to Ha Ngoc Diem’s spikes. Still, India had enough to hold their less-trained rivals off, widening the gap to 17-15 and then 23-20. They never looked back from then on, taking the set 25-20.
India took control in the third set, building a 23-14 lead before Vietnam fought back to win three straight points and come close at 17-23. However, India bagged the remaining two points for the eventual 25-18 win in the set.
Athira Chalingal Chand led India with 16 points, while Ha Ngoc Diem emerged as the Vietnam’s top scorer with 14 points.
Pool D
Chinese Taipei, led by the hard-hitting Wu Wei-Hua and Lee Yu, started an attack right from the whistle. The inexperienced Turkmenis tried to match their much stronger rivals, but Chinese Taipei took the effortless first set 25-8.
Chinese Taipei remained in superb form in the following two sets, winning 25-8 and 25-5 with the help of exceptional spiking tactics. Chinese Taipei finally wrapped up the completely one-sided encounter to collect three points from their first win in the 16-team tournament.
Wu Wei-Hua led Chinese Taipei with 19 points, including 18 deadly spikes. Aziza Narbayeva top-scored for Turkmenistan with five points.
Japan, the FIVB world No.7 and former five-time champions, came up with a fast game against the taller Aussies, who used their height advantage to effectively block and attack at the net.
Japan took the offensive with a combination of lightning spikes from the powerful Aya Horie and Aimi Akiyama to help win the first set 25-17.
Australia improved their blocking tactics in the second set, foiling their rivals’ determined attacking attempts. As the Japanese were stronger in offence, the defence proved a major force for the Aussies.
After a long rally, Australia regained their composure to narrow the gap to 10-12. However, they became more prone to serving errors, allowing their rivals to widen the gap to 16-10 and then 20-13 before winning the set 25-15.
The third set followed a similar script, with Japan in their spiking rhythm and Australia relying on their defence. The Japanese took the set 25-15 and won the thrilling match.
Aya Horie top-scored with 11 points for Japan and Jessyka Ngauamo led Australia with 12 points.
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium
Pool A
In what amounted to a near-flawless performance, New Zealand played impressively against inexperienced rivals Kuwait to record an easy win.
After taking the first set 25-5, the Kiwis continued their aggression in the following two sets. The 188cm Amelia Hunter used her height advantage to overcome the small blockers with her fierce spikes and lead New Zealand through a 25-8 second-set win.
The third set became a totally one-sided affair. As the inexperienced Kuwait showed their below-par reception and erratic play, New Zealand grew dominant in their attacking and great serves. They allowed their small-built rivals only two points, winning the set 25-2 and ending the lop-sided battle.
Beniece Dough top-scored for New Zealand with 14 points. Amelia Hunter recorded 10 points from ace spikes. Lauren Meyer, Dayna McGregor and Beniece Dough gave the team seven, six and five points from their well-placed serves.
Shatha Al-huneidi won three points for Kuwait.
Thailand, who finished in fourth place at the previous edition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, two years ago, entertained the cheering home crowd with their superb form.
The host side took their first set against Iran 25-8, courtesy of devastating spikes from Kuttika Kaewpin and Ajcharaporn Kongyot. Holding a one-set advantage, Thailand remained in awesome form in the second. They effectively foiled the visitors’ attacking attempts and won 25-4.
Iran regrouped to bounce back bravely in the third set, but their reception was still far from impressive. Thailand captured the set, by 25-10, and the match.
Kuttika Kaewpin claimed 12 points for Thailand, while Neda Chamlanian scored six for Iran.
Pool C
Kazakhstan, which arrived in Nakhon Pathom a week early to compete in warm-up matches during the South East Asian Junior Women’s Championship, fielded a tall line-up led by the 185cm Lrina Chumak.
Though smaller in size, Hong Kong played cool under pressure in the first set. Mang Lee and Mui Pik Sum unleashed a barrage of fierce attacks. But the Kazakhs’ blocking was just too good for them and Kazakhstan took the thrilling opener 25-21.
After overcoming their rivals’ strong challenge in the first set, Kazakhstan found their rhythm in the remaining sets. Despite putting up a brave fight, Hong Kong went down 14-25 and 16-25 in the second and third sets.
Anastassiya Rostovchshidova emerged as Kazakhstan’s top scorer after winning 19 points, while Mang Lee claimed six points for Hong Kong.
Korea, the FIVB world No.19 who finished second to China in the previous edition, got off to a flying start with a straight-set 25-16, 25-9, 25-12 victory over Sri Lanka.
Korea set the pace in the first set, with Lee Jae-yeon and Shin Yeon-yeong taking turns producing fierce attacks at the net. Sri Lanka responded with sharp spikes by Wasana Perera Thilini. However, it wasn’t enough to match the mighty Koreans, who won the set 25-16.
Sri Lanka tried to improve their first-ball reception in the following sets, but their efforts were in vain. The Koreans continued their remarkable run with powerful serves from Lee Da-yeong and Hwang Yoon-jung and explosive attacks by Lee Jae-yeong. Korea captured both sets 25-9 and 25-12 for a comfortable victory.
Hwang Yoon-Jung led Korea with 10 points, while Wasana Perera Thilini claimed seven points for Sri Lanka.
Results
In Nakhon Pathom
Pool B: China v Mongolia 3-0 (25-9 25-10 25-7); India v Vietnam 3-0 (25-19 25-20 25-18)
Pool D: Chinese Taipei v Turkmenistan 3-0 (25-8 25-8 25-5); Japan v Australia 3-0 (25-17 25-15 25-15)
In Ratchaburi
Pool A: New Zealand v Kuwait 3-0 (25-5 25-8 25-2); Thailand v Iran 3-0 (25-8 25-4 25-10)
Pool C: Kazakhstan v Hong Kong 3-0 (25-21 25-14 25-16); Korea v Sri Lanka 3-0 (25-16 25-9 25-12)
Match schedule
October 2
In Nakhon Pathom
12.00pm: Mongolia v India
2pm: Chinese Taipei v Australia
4pm: Turkmenistan v Japan
6pm: China v Vietnam
In Rachaburi
12.00pm: Kazakhstan v Sri Lanak
2pm: Iran v Kuwait
4pm: Hong Kong v Korea
6pm: New Zealand v ThailandPoland triumph with the gold medals
Sofia, Bulgaria, July 8, 2012 - Poland reached a historical first World League gold disappointing the US team by 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-20) in the 2012 Final. Only the second set was giving any hope for the Americans. The other sets were pretty straight-forward for Andrea Anastasi's boys. Zbigniew Bartman scored 16 and Bartosz Kurek added 12 to help the Red-and-White triumph.
The big final started well for Poland. They were leading the score and the first technical time-out came at 8-6. After that the game was tied and USA was trying to catch up, but whenever they did, Poland kept on moving further on. The great support Poland was getting from the stands kept being a great inspiration and the gap was getting wider and wider. Michal Ruciak scored 2 aces at the end of the set and it was an easy win for Poland by 25-17.
The second set began with a point for the American team. This time the first technical time-out came at 8-7 USA’s way. After that both teams were showing nice actions and the game tied up again with the American team leading 16-14 at the second technical time-out. With Zbigniew Bartman behind the serving line Poland managed to equalize at 20-20. So at the end of the set everything was still up in the air until 24-24. Poland took the following two rallies and came one step closer to the gold by winning the set by 26-24.
At the beginning of the third set USA took the lead but the Polish team, inspired by their fans, did not give up. The first technical time-out came at 8-7 in favor of Andrea Anastasi’s team. The difference in the points was getting bigger and, at the second technical time-out (16-10), the Polish team was already reaching for the gold. It was more and more obvious that the match was going to a happy ending for Poland. They successfully closed the set at 25:20 and rejoiced with the victory.
The big final started well for Poland. They were leading the score and the first technical time-out came at 8-6. After that the game was tied and USA was trying to catch up, but whenever they did, Poland kept on moving further on. The great support Poland was getting from the stands kept being a great inspiration and the gap was getting wider and wider. Michal Ruciak scored 2 aces at the end of the set and it was an easy win for Poland by 25-17.
The second set began with a point for the American team. This time the first technical time-out came at 8-7 USA’s way. After that both teams were showing nice actions and the game tied up again with the American team leading 16-14 at the second technical time-out. With Zbigniew Bartman behind the serving line Poland managed to equalize at 20-20. So at the end of the set everything was still up in the air until 24-24. Poland took the following two rallies and came one step closer to the gold by winning the set by 26-24.
At the beginning of the third set USA took the lead but the Polish team, inspired by their fans, did not give up. The first technical time-out came at 8-7 in favor of Andrea Anastasi’s team. The difference in the points was getting bigger and, at the second technical time-out (16-10), the Polish team was already reaching for the gold. It was more and more obvious that the match was going to a happy ending for Poland. They successfully closed the set at 25:20 and rejoiced with the victory.
source:http://www.fivb.org
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