Japan in 3-0 win over China

Bernard PERERA in Philippines

Japan created a major upset in the seventh Asian Youth Women's Volleyball Championship here in the Pasig City defeating China in a close encounter three sets to nil (27-25, 25-17, 25-19).

Chinese who kept a clean record right through out the championship failed in their attempt to keep their reputation yesterday. Japanese Girls seen in fine fettle and dominated the game to keep their high ranking opponents at bay during the three sets.

It was the Chinese who collected the first point in this set to be ahead but the Japanese making no mistakes kept cool and went ahead.

Chinese were never seen trying everything in store to pass the Japan score. They were able to do so once during this final at 15-all.

In fact they gained a two point lead too but could not carry on with it as Japanese like bees kept pressure mounting and got past the Chinese 19-18. From there onwards Chinese girls could not match power packed spiking from the young Japanese and succumbed to their first defeat in the championship at 25-19.

Japan got of to a flyer in the first set taking a firm grip 4 point to two and kept on moving ahead to gather points at regular interval and also to extend the lead by three points 15-12 before the second time out Chinese girls reduced the same to two. But the Japanese girls went on the attack once again and kept a lead of 5 point to see the Chinese trailing 20-15. Then came the gallant performance from the Chinese and the set had to go for the extra points when the score became level at 25 all. Japanese however made it at the last minute 27-25.

The second set too went in favour of the Japanese at 25-17. Japanese girls had fight all the way to the second time out in this set as the Chinese were closing near their total just a point behind. The Japanese girls minus mistakes increased the lead to an unbeatable seven point to end the set.

Thailand overcame one of the biggest hurdles yesterday to take the third slot in the rankings after beating one of the pre favourites Korea in straight sets 3 - 0 (25-9, 25-20, 25-20).

Thailand who looked unfancied in this game got off to fine start and kept the Koreans at bay from the word go. They collected at every given opportunity and were seen gaining a healthy lead.

This troubled the Koreans as they never expected such a tough situation. Thais looking good ended the set without allowing the Koreans to reach double figures 25-9.

The second set however saw the Koreans make a comeback but was not sufficient to halt the set victory at 25-20.

Koreans in this too looked dejected lot as the could not go past the Thais total at any stage of the set. The third set was keenly contested by the Koreans hoping to make a win to stretch the Thais to the maximum.

Thais however had other ideas and went on the attack which resulted in the Thais clinching the set at 25-20 to win the match and also the third place in the rankings.

Meanwhile Taiwan defeated Indonesia to keep their fifth position.

Taiwan too was keeping a good record up to yesterday and was hoping to end at the fourth slot but their loss to Thailand made things difficult for them to be in contention by beating them on Thursday.

Yesterday it Taiwan 's day They maintained a steady flow of points to clinch the win 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-14).

India outplayed Philippines three sets to nil to secure the seventh position in the rankings.

The host country fought a hard battle to reach this stage. Playing in Group A in the preliminary round against Sri Lanka and Australia entered the last eight in style. The Philippines lost to Taiwan on Friday also by three sets to nil.

Standings: 1. Japan 2. China 3. Thailand 4. Korea 5. Taiwan 6. Indonesia 7. Australia 8. Philippines.