Astana, Kazakhstan, 8 July 2023 – China completed their bid in the men’s competition of the 2023 WPV Sitting Volleyball Asian Zone Championships as bronze medallists, after taking a 3-1 triumph (16-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-13) against Iraq on Saturday at the Jekpe -Jek Sports Centre.
Iraq opened with a 4-0 lead, which proved to be a good headstart against their tough opponents. China tried to pick up the pace but were turning in unlikely and untimely miscues. As China called for time and player changes, they could not mount a solid comeback. Meanwhile, the Iraq side capitalised well with their momentum to take 25-16 in the first set.
China endeavoured for improvement in the next set, showing better control of each play as possible. At this time, it was Iraq that needed to find solutions to overturn the situation. The Chinese team surged forward with momentum in their favour to take 25-15 in the second set.
The match developed into a tight contest by tge third set, with neither team mounting a confortably assuring lead. As the score read 19-19, China slowly inched their way to close out, delivering in clutch moments to head into set point. Iraq tried to claim each play for their gain, but China pulled through with 25-22.
Playing more confidently, China carefully built a commanding 25-13 finish in the fourth set to complete the competition with the bronze medal.
China head coach Ye Jing wanted his team to have an early booking for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, but lost the tie-break in the semi-final showdown with the host team.
“Kazakhstan really improved, and we have seen that in the technique of each player. They played really well.
“We still have a chance to go to the Paralympics. When we return home, we will work harder and aim to be better than we are today. The dream to go to Paris still lives on,” she said.
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