(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-26 22:16

GUANGZHOU, China - Defending champion China steamrolled over Croatia on day three of the world team table tennis championships after triple world title holder Wang Liqin's unexpected loss to untitled Romanian player on the previous day.

China's Wang Liqin returns a shot to Roko Tosic of Croatia during their match in the men's preliminaries at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou of South China February 25, 2008. China blanked the European team 3-0. [Xinha]

China pitted Wang against Roko Tosic in the opening encounter, in which a determined Wang set the tune of the game and met little resistance from the European rival. Taking the game 11-1,11-6,11-7, veteran Wang  demonstrated his mighty strength before a cheering home audience.

Croatia's Andrej Gacina caused little trouble to world number two Ma Lin in the third set. But the Chinese penhold offensive looper showed resilience to come back from one game down, winning 3-1 on sets.

Buoyed by his compatriots' lead, Wang Hao wasted little time in edging out Borna Kovac 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.

"I performed normally today after a well summing-up yesterday," said Wang Liqin, who still looked timid in front of crowded media cameras.

"I minded the game too much and lost confidence under the ferocious attack of the opponent."

Liu Guoliang, head coach of China'national team, said Ma Lin was irritable in the third set but managed to control his feeling in time.  Liu also praised Wang Hao for his steady performance over the past three days.

Speaking of Austria, which China is scheduled to play Wednesday morning, Liu said Austria was the strongest rival in Group A and the battle would be hard for the Chinese squad. "The side who can adapt itself to the competition quickly will take the initiative," said Liu.

Twenty-four countries and regions are vying in four groups in championships division in the week-long tournament. The top-placed squads in each group earn the berths for the quarter-finals, and the squads ranking second and third have to strive for the remaining post in the last eight.