China
Against Japan, which have yet lost a single set to their respective rivals en route to the Thursday’s semi-finals, the FIVB world No.l5 China fielded a well-organised line-up spearheaded by hard-hitting Zhong Weijun and Dai Qingyao.
The Chinese, whose height average is 197cm against the rivals’ 188cm, took the height advantage to attack devastatingly and block solidly to take the commanding 13-9 in the first set.
Japan’s smashing machine Takashi Dekita pumped his fists in an effort of overpowering the Chinese taller blockers with his explosive attacks, but the 206cm Liang Chunlong and the 205cm Dai Qingyao established high walls to foil his attempts.
Leading 24-19 for good, China allowed the tough rivals only one more point before Liang Chunlong hit a powerful cross-court spike to help China wrap up the opening set 25-20, the first set ever Japan had lost in this top-flight competition.
In the second set, both teams fought neck and neck, but the much stronger China gained the upper hand to take an initial 14-11 lead. The Japanese regained their composure when Takashi Dekita tried hard to puncture the Chinese solid defence with his lightning-fast back-row spikes to help his team tie the score 17-17.
China stormed on their aggressive attacks and the Japanese relied mostly on their counter-attacks. As the Chinese won some crucial points to lead commandingly 24-20, needing only one more point to take the set, the never-say-die Japanese came up with a gutsy display.
Takashi Dekita saved the day for Japan after he produced an explosive mid-court spike to make it 21-24 and Hidetomo Hoshino added one more from a sharp cross-court attack. However, Zhong Weijun made short work of his rivals, beating the smaller blockers with a devastating spike to end the Japanese challenge. China took the set 25-22.
After winning the first two sets, China played more confidently to race to an initial 6-2 lead in the third set, thanks to fast spikes from Geng Xin and Zhong Weijun.
The Japanese tightened their defence and increased more power and speed at the net play to enhance their attacking opportunities. Their intention was handsomely awarded when they closed the margin 20-20.
However, the Chinese shone through their exceptional form to blunt the rivals’ strong challenge, with hefty Dai Qingyao powering the team to spike spectacularly at the net. As China led 23-21, a Takashi Dekita’s spike went wide, helping the rivals clinch a vital point to stretch it to 24-21.
Trying to keep a rally going, Japan played cool under pressure. Hidetomo Hoshino stretched hands to smash his way and save one matchpoint for Japan. However, their brave fight could not be that long when Yamato Fushimi served out wide. China captured the thrilling set 25-22 and the close battle.
Zhong Weijun scored a match-high 16 points for China, while Takashi Dekita led Japan with 11 points.
“It’s a good match. They are very strong with good teamwork. Therefore, to beat them is not easy. We had a tough match against them, but fortunately, we won the match,” said China’s head coach Xie Guochen.
“Before the match, we have never thought that the match would end in straight sets. However, we trained hard and after winning the first two sets, I believe that we could make it.”
“Against Iran in the final match, I have yet decided who will be in the first line-up in my team. My players are still young. What we need is experience, but if we can win the championship, we will do it. One thing I can be sure of is that my team will try our best.”
Thursday’s results
5th-8th Classification round: Vietnam b Australia 3-1 (25-23 21-25 25-21 25-21); Korea b Myanmar 3-0 (25-19 25-12 25-13)
Semi-finals: China b Japan 3-0 (25-20 25-22 25-22); Iran b India 3-0 (25-23 25-13 25-23)
Friday’s competition schedule
2pm: 7th-8th playoff: Myanmar v Australia
4pm: 5th-6th playoff: Vietnam v Korea
6pm: Third-place playoff: Japan v India
8pm: Championship match: China v Iran
Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony
