Taiwan, Japan lead race for world berths
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Nakhon Pathom - Taiwan and former five-time champions Japan maintained their unbeaten run in the Chang 16th Asian Junior Women's U20 Volleyball Championship at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium yesterday.
Taiwan, who outclassed debutants Turkmenistan in a lop-sided Pool D opener, pulled off an impressive 3-1 (25-10 25-13 20-25 25-15) win over Australia yesterday.
After two wins from two, Taiwan today take on Japan in a match to decide the pool winners.
In-form Japan, who powered past Australia in straight sets on Monday, crushed inexperienced Turkmenistan 25-2 25-2 25-12 yesterday.
In Pool B, India, who beat Vietnam in straight sets on Monday, scored their second win yesterday – 3-1 (25-7 24-26 25-5 25-21) over Mongolia – to book their place in the last eight. Today, India go up against world No 1 and reigning champions China, who were due to take on Vietnam late last night, to determine the pool winners.
At the Ratchaburi Gymnasium, Kazakhstan, who have already beaten Hong Kong in straight sets in Pool C, overcame Sri Lanka 3-1 (25-11 25-19 26-28 25-18) for a second win and a place in the last eight.
South Korea, who beat Sri Lanka 3-1 on Monday, had little problem yesterday in cruising past Hong Kong 25-11 25-19 23-25 25-18 to record their second win and advance to the last eight. The Koreans today play Kazakhstan in a match to decide the Pool C winners.
Meanwhile, Thailand, who finished fourth in the previous edition two years ago, have their sights set on finishing among the top four this time, which will ensure them a berth in the world meet in Czech Republic next year.
The hosts on Monday tamed Iran 25-8 25-4 25-10 in Pool A and were due to play New Zealand later yesterday.
