China leads four teams into semi-finals of Asian Women's Volleyball Championship
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-07 09:14

TAICANG, East China, September 6 (Xinhua) -- Olympic and World Cup double champion China swept Vietnam 3-0 on Tuesday at the 2005 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship.

With its sixth straight 25-20, 25-11 and 25-18 victory on home soil, the Chinese women secured a berth for the semi-final.

Japan, Kazakhstan and South Korea also made top eight after respective victories on Tuesday.

Facing the comparatively low-profile Vietnam, China kicked off with a 3-1 lead in the first set. But Vietnam steadily pulled it back at 5-5.

After tied at 10-10, China began to conquer the court with a 7-0 run and finished set with a smash from Wang Yimei.

The following two sets were much easier for the host with its powerful blocking and spiking skill. They took an early lead and held on to make it three sets to nil.

China's opponent in the semi-final is another Asia powerhouse South Korea who survived from two sets down to upset Thailand 3-2, 22-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 16-14.

Japan also received their sixth victory by defeating Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3-0.

It took Japan 57 minutes to gain the victory with 25-20, 25-13 and 25-14.

Ai Otomo scored 14 points for Japan while Sachiko Sugiyama had 13 and MIkiko Horai 12.

Japan came across a scary moment when DPR Korea led 8-5 at the start of the first set and extended the lead to 10-8. After both sides tied at 18-18, Japan launched a 7-2 run to seal the set.

Japan took early lead in the following two sets and never looked dangerous again to win the quarter-final.

Japan will face Kazakhstan who defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 (26-24, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24) in another quarter-final played on Tuesday.

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