China avenges five-set loss with five-set win

(BEIJING, June 15) -- After losing the first match of their FIVB World League 2008 campaign to Japan on June 14 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the Chinese team evened the weekend series, defeating the Japanese team 22-25, 25-16, 25-29, 22-25, 15-12 on Sunday afternoon in front of 4,000 spectators.

Yuan Zhi led the victors with 24 points, while Shimuizu Tasuya of Japan was the overall top scorer with 29 points.

"Today the Chinese defense was very strong, so we had a hard time," said Japanese captain Kitajima Takeshi. "We were not well prepared psychologically. But I think we can play well in the next game."

"Since the Japanese team has a clear strategy, we hope [this victory] can help us in the Olympic matches against them," said Chinese head coach Zhou Jianan.

Japan qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games as the top Asian finisher at last week's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tokyo. They will face China in Pool A of the Olympic Men's Volleyball tournament, along with Italy, Bulgaria, Venezuela and the USA.