Chengdu, China, July 2, 2009 –Hosts China and Thailand are expected to book the two tickets on offer in Asian third round Pool D to the final round of the 2010 FIVB Women's World Championship set for next November in Japan.

The Pool D which consists four teams, including Uzbekistan and Fiji is to start on July 3 with Thailand fighting against Uzbekistan in the opening match, followed by the match between China and Fiji in the evening in Sichuan Provincial Gymnasium.

China, ranked 5th in the FIVB World ranking, is apparently the strongest among the four squads and is the top favourite to top the pool.

China has reorganized their women's national team earlier this year with younger Cai Bin replacing experienced Chen Zhonghe as head coach and new, promising players replacing veterans. But China is still a very strong team. They finished third in Montreux Volley Masters in Switzerland and defeated twice Italy in the Italian International Women's Invitation.

Cai Bin did no t say much when arriving here except "The Thai team is very strong and we are to going to take seriously the match against them. We will not underestimate any team. The aim for our team is no doubt to clinch the berth in the finals of the World Championship in Japan."

Their biggest challenge for China will come from Thailand. Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai is very confident of clinching one of the two tickets on offer from the Pool. "I strongly believe that my team can make it to the Finals this time."

As for the match against China, "I think it's a tough mission to beat the Chinese. However, I hope my players will do their best. If we have a chance, we try to beat them.

Leond Ayrapetyants, Uzbekistan's head coach, said "China is, of course, still a strong team and we are going to learn from them. But we will do our utmost to play each match with confidence and try to clinch good results."

The complete schedule is as follows:

July 3

15;30 Thailand vs. Uzbekistan

20:30 China vs. Fiji

July 4

15:30 China vs. Uzbekistan

20:00 Thailand vs. Fiji

July 5

15:30 China vs. Thailand

20:00 Fiji vs. Uzbekistan