Korea’s Jeon Dabin attacks New Zealand
Jiangmen, China, July 2, 2024 – Formidable Japan and Korea became the first two teams to progress to the round of last 8 following their two consecutive wins in their pools at the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium here on Tuesday.
Japan celebrate their win against Hong Kong, China
As teams were split into four pools of three teams apiece in the pool round-robin preliminaries, those with two wins will top their pools and are guaranteed to secure their spots in the round of last 8, where top two teams from each pool will next contest playoff matches in Pool E (teams from Pools A and C) and Pool F (teams from Pools B and D) and only top two teams from each pool (Pools E and F) will advance to the semifinals, while the four lower-ranked sides will battle it out in classification round for 5th-8th places.
Korea celebrate their point win against New Zealand
On Tuesday, the second day of the topflight championship, which serves as the Asian qualification for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship, Japan brushed off Hong Kong, China in comfortable straight sets 25-14, 25-15, 25-13.
The defending champions had already registered their first win against India in their Monday’s opener and with two wins in a row, the Japanese completed their pool play to top Pool B for sure.
The small-built, but powerful Anna Uemura, who stands 168cm tall, chipped in 14 points from 13 kills and one ace for Japan, while Miku Akimoto and Riri Kasai kept good company to contribute 12 and 10 points respectively. Outside hitter Tang Sum Yeun scored 14 points, all in attack, on the Hong Kong, China’s loss.
In Pool D, Korea, fresh from 3-0 demolition of Chinese Taipei in their first match on Monday, managed another 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-7) shutout of New Zealand. Following two successive wins, Korea, which finished a well-earned fourth place at the previous edition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, secured their place as Pool D winners in the round of last 8.
In their match against Kiwis on Tuesday, middle blocker Lee Jiyun chipped in 12 points from 9 kills, 2 blocks and one ace for Korea, while Lee Jua and Jeon Dabin contributed 9 and 7 points respectively. Middle blocker and skipper Marnie Ursem scored 6 points on the New Zealand’s loss.
Meanwhile, Vietnam succumbed to straight-set loss to Southeastern counterparts Thailand on Monday which allowed them a decisive…
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