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China Beat Japan at Four-Nation Women's Volleyball Tourney
China Beats Japan at Yalu Cup Volleyball Match
The newly- reformed Chinese women's volleyball team maintained its winning momentum by storming to a straight-set victory over Japan at the four-nation tournament Monday in Taicang, Jiangsu Province.
Bolstered by a height advantge, the hosts was impressive in the net defense, powering to a 25-19, 25-17, 25-22 triumph over the short-figured Japan. China beat Australia in straight sets on Sunday's opener of the three-day tournament.
The result was a relief for the newly-apppointed head coach Chen Zhonghe, who took over the helm of the national side in the wake of China's disappointing performance in Sdyney Olympics.
"The new national team is focusing on entering the top four of the next Olympics Games in Athens, but we need to beat such Asian neighbours as Japan and South Korea before reaching that ultimate goal," said Chen.
"Today's victory will give us a mental advantage in future competitions, so we pay much heed to the match against Japan," he added.
China, which was restructured following Sydney Olympics, has injected fresh blood with only a few veterans remaining to ensure a safe transition.
The runners-up in Atlanta has slipped to a low point as they struggled to qualify for a berth in Sydney and ended up with fifth.
It is the same case with Japan, which failed to qualify for the Sydney Games. They named a new coach and brought in some young talents to boost their hopes for the next Olympiad.
"We will take any possible measures to ensure the qualification for Athens," said the Japanese head coach Yoshikawa Masahiro.
But their first step turned out to be stumble as the team has suffered two straight losses in the tournament. They lost to Cuba on Sunday's match.
"The Chinese team has a height advantage, while our team were dogged by many faults," Masahiro said after the second loss.
In the other match, Olympic champions Cuba had to show almost all their weapons to beat unfancied Australia 25-18, 25-16, 25-15.
The Australians, which finished ninth in Sydney, had sent a shiver to the eight-time world champions, scoring points while the Cuba stars became liable to miscues.
"They have good players. They did well in blocking and their service is good, "said Eugenio George, manager of the Cuba team." Our attack is better than defense."
On Tuesday, Cuba, heavily favored to win the yearly tournament, will meet China, and Japan will play Australia.
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