Taipei, Chinese Taipei, September 27, 2008 – Host Chinese Taipei surprisingly upset defending champion China in a hard-fought, five-set duel to enter the finals at the 14th Asian Women’s Junior Volleyball Championship here on Saturday. Joining the finals to vie for the gold medal is Japan who beat Korea in straight sets.

In the matches for the first to fourth position, Japan, runner-up of last edition, beat Korea 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-15) while Chinese Taipei rallied back from a 1-2 deficit to edge China 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 25- 17, 15-11).

In the 5th-8th classification matches, Indonesia beat New Zealand 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 27-25), enabling them to compete for the 5th ranking in the tournament. Thailand, who conquered Kazakhstan 3-1(25-15, 19-25, 25-11, 25-22), would attain a better ranking than their 9th in the last edition.

In the 9th-10th playoff match, the Aussies beat India 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 24-26, 25-19) and secured their 9th place in the game, finishing two places lower than they did in the last edition, while India remains at the same position as they did in 2006.

In the match between Japana and Korea both teams played well, levelling the scores several times . untill Japan ‘s Minemura Saki and Nagaoka used their mighty spike to lead the team and win the first set 25-21. In the second set, with their excellent defense and powerful serves, Japan gradually broke Korea’s confidence and high spirit and successfully took the second set 25-17.

Both teams fought with all their might and displayed some amazing defencee skills through the whole game. But Japan carried on with their vitality and led from the start of the third set. Though Kim Hee Jin of Korea delivered a serving ace to make the score 8-8; contributed by their firm blocking and flawless receiving and digging, Japan made Korea downcast in the rest of the set and finally won the set 25-15, beating Korea 3-0 (25-21, 25-17,25-15).

“Winning this match means that we’re now able to compete in the World Junior Women’s Championship in 2009, and I’m very happy,” said Japan head coach Aihara Noboru after the match “In addition, my team was most focused in this match against Korea since this tournament started, and I’m very contended with their performance.”

In the second semifinals for the gold medal between China and Chinese Taipei, the host team, though smaller in figure, did not show any trace of fear and fought with their determination despite the fact that they lagged behind China since the game started. Cheered on by the high-spirited local spectators who hailed along the game, Chinese Taipei finally came from behind and leveled the score 16-16. Fueled up by Chen Shih Ting’s skillful serves and spikes penetrating China in the middle, Chinese Taipei eventually snatched the set 25-23.

With their never-giving-up vigor, Chinese Taipei repeatedly exhibited some wonderful defense and started the second set impressively. In order to conquer the height and power of China, several combination strategies were used in attacking and Chinese Taipei had led 16-13 at the first technical time-out. Yet China was not easy to deal with either, as they rallied to level the points 20-20 with Hui Rouqi’s strong spikes from the left. In the end of the set, Yang Junjing’s powerful quick spike finished the set 25-23 in favor of China.

The third set was dominated by China with their unstoppable spikes, and China won the set, leading at 2-1. However, Chinese Taipei did notgave up. Ain the fourth set, powered by the speedy attack of their captain, Chen Wan Ting, and with the support from local crowds, Chinese Taipei won the set 25-17, forcing the match into the tiebreaker..

In the decisive fifth set, Chinese Taipei delivered some excellent serves to make the score equal against their much taller rivals; they then took the first technical time-out 8-7 and continued their brilliance to the end, winning the match 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 25- 17,15-11).

With the victory, Chinese Taipei not only qualifies for the World Junior Women’s. Volleyball Championship which is to be held in Mexico, 2009, but also it is the first time in history for team Chinese Taipei to overpower China.

“I’m very grateful to everyone’s support for us,” said Chinese Taipei head coach Sakakuchi Norimasa after the triumph. As for the host players’ well-maintained mentality, he said:“Before the match, I told my players to be prepared for a 5-set match, and it came true. So they are well-prepared indeed.” When asked about the finals, Mr. Sakakuchi observed: “Though we are really happy with today’s victory, I must request my players to forget it and focus only on tomorrow’s game.”

Coming up tomorrow, the last day of the 14th Asian Junior Women’s Volleyball Championship, New Zealand will play Kazakhstan for the 7th, Thailand play Indonesia for the 5th, China face Korea for the 3rd ranking, and host Chinese Taipei meet Japan for the gold medal.

Saturday results:

For the 9th-10th:

Australia beat India 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 24-26, 25-19)

Classification for the 5th-8th:

Indonesia beat New Zealand 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 27-25)

Thailand beat Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-11, 25-22)

For the 1st-4th:

Japan beat Korea 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-15)

Chinese Taipei beat China 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 25- 17, 15-11).