Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 8, 2022 – Formidable China powered past Chinese Taipei in the bronze-medal 2021 Asian Championship rematch in well-fought four sets 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19 in Pool D in the 2022 AVC Cup for Men at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium here on Monday.
China, current world No.19 which finished 13th at this year’s VNL, fielded a formidable lineup including Zhang Jingyin, Yu Yuantai, Dai Qingyao and Li Yongzhen, while Chinese Taipei were playing this match with their backs against the wall as they had already lost their first match at the hands of Bahrain and, therefore, could not repeat it again, or they would be eliminated and relegated to classification round for 9th-11th places.
Veteran Liu Hong-Min and powerful left-hander Wu Tsung-Hsuan made Chinese Taipei the side to beat in a tough-looking set as both overcame the taller Chinese blockers with their exceptional attacks to help the team close out the margin 9-9. However, China performed brilliantly, with Zhang Jingyin and Li Yongzhen puncturing the Taiwanese defence with their thundering attacks to move ahead 21-16 and never looked back from then on. China won a crucial point to lead 24-19 and shortly after that celebrated their victory when seeing a serve from Liu Hong-Jie go wide. China netted the first set 25-19.
Going down one set, Chinese Taipei turned the heat on in the second set. Levelling 10-10, they responded well to eventually come through and seize the narrow 16-14 lead. Both sides gave it all-out to exchange attacks and during the furious game, red cards were shown including one to Chinese Taipei.
Hoping for a wonderful comeback in the set, Chinese Taipei put their acts together and smashed their way. Their more determination worked out pretty well as they caught up with the Chinese side 23-23. However, China proved that their incredible 3-0 win against hosts and defending champions Brazil in this year’s VNL Week 1 in Brasilia was no fluke and they went on to win the remaining two points to claim the hard-fought set 25-23.
Holding 0-2 disadvantage, Chinese Taipei upped their tempo and counter-attacked well in the third set. Wu Tsung-Hsuan fired off-the-block attacks, while Liu Hung-Min and Chang Yu-Sheng were stylish and powerful at the net, giving Chinese Taipei the leading way by wide margin 17-12.
China gradually pulled their game together, with Zhang Jingyin and Peng Shikun, standing 208cm tall, producing solid blocks and Zhang...
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