China beats Uzbekistan at Asian club volleyball tournament
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-05-24 23:58

China secured its second win at the 2005 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship on Tuesday, crushing Uzbekistan 3-0 with a dozen of points scored in a row in each set.

Facing their weaker rivals, the Chinese players comfortably dealt with the ball in slow motion. However, their smart serves, blocking and attack fetched them a score of 25-4 in the first set with the last 10 points in a row.

Uzbekistan spikers made greater efforts in the second set, but their attacks were not powerful enough to beat the Chinese players who were good at blocking, and frequently pinpointed the ball to vacant space with fierce spikes.

And the Chinese secured the second set 25-10, including last 12 straight points.

Uzbekistan took an initial lead in the third set in the first minutes, but could not prevent China from sealing off the match 25-9. The Tianjin team, China's National League Champion, grabbed 11 straight points in the set.

"Today, Tianjin deployed a normal competition pattern. Their rivals are too weak, Tianin couldn't exhibit their real strength, " said the Chinese team's coach Wang Baoquan.

For the championship, both Kazakhstan and South Korea are relatively powerful, he said, noting that South Korean players have comprehensive techniques, rich experiences and good defense and attack.

"Vietnamese and Thai players are flexible and even in terms of techniques, but their professional levels are not high enough," coach Wang added.

Also on Tuesday, Chinese Taipei clinched its first triumph over Thailand 25-20, 25-19 and 25-17.

On Monday, China, Vietnam and South Korea defeated Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan respectively, on the opening day of the 8-day championship held in northern Ninh Binh province.

Uzbekistan is to face Thailand, China will play against Kazakhstan, and Vietnam takes on South Korea on Wednesday.

The round-robin championship features 81 athletes from seven countries and region, namely China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam.