TAI vs. JAP
The players of Chinese Taipei won 3-2 against a country known for its prowess in an intense fight that lasted 111 minutes. Taiwan fell 20-25 in the first set but caught up with 25-21 before their Japanese opponents took the next set 21-25.
Taiwan reversed the tide 25-18 and managed to continue the momentum into the decisive final set, triumphing over Japan 15-12 to seal the victory in the northern city of Tianjin.
For Chinese Taipei, the victory was a first for men’s volleyball in an international contest and carried much significance for the development of the sport in the country. Until Sunday, Chinese Taipei’s best record was a bronze medal won at the 2001 East Asian Games.
“Winning Taiwan’s first gold medal in an international event will be a great boost to the development of volleyball in Taiwan,” Huang Chien-feng of Chinese Taipei, the top scorer in the game, said. “Japan is a tough rival as their players are better in their basic defensive skills.”
“We have the responsibility to rewrite the history. Winning the competition marked a milestone for Taiwan’s volleyball,” coach Wu Fei–hu said after the game.
“We proved we could win gold in an international event, which will be a great inspiration to athletes at home,” Wu added.
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