China Fails to Enter Olympics

Chinese volleyball team was crushed by South Korea 0-3 in the last match of the Asian Men's Volleyball Olympic Qualification tournament held in Shanghai, which means China has failed to enter next year's Sydney Olympics.

At the same time, undefeated South Korea won the tournament and earned the sole Olympic berth for the continent.

China lost to Japan 2-3 in their first match on Monday and beat Chinese Taipei on Tuesday.

They needed to beat South Korea by at least two-set margin to make the Olympics. But the Koreans never gave China a chance, dominating the match from beginning to end by their stable defense and sharp spikes.

The fanatic local fans were left disappointed by the rout, which ended with a score of 25-23, 25-21 and 25-22.

Despite Chinese head coach Wang Jiawei's best effort, his team could not halt South Korea's winning advance.

This was China's third straight and most severe loss to South Korea since Wang took over the head coach job two years ago.

The previous two were at the Asian Championships in October and the World Cup last month.

The team's waning morale and the older line-up has been the source of criticism from the fans.

The defeat also throws Wang's future as coach of the national team into question.

Wang, the former noted national team member, was appointed as head coach in March 1997.

He has led the team to the champions of last year's Bangkok Asiad and Asian Championships earlier this year.


Please visit People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/