PARIS OLYMPICS: CHINESE VOLLEYBALL FANS TORN AS WOMEN’S SIDE HANDED PLACE AT SUMMER GAMES
- Results elsewhere in the Volleyball Nations League meant China were France-bound even before their second match
Chinese volleyball fans were split over the prospects for their country's women's team after they were gifted a place at their 11th straight Olympics.
Results elsewhere in the Volleyball Nations League meant China, who began the week under threat in the race for Paris, were France-bound even before their second match in the league's Hong Kong leg on Friday.
And they had a helping hand from Japan - rivals for the Olympic berth given to Asia's leading side - after their neighbours lost to Canada in Fukuoka a day earlier. That, along with the Netherlands' defeat by the United States, meant China could be caught by the Dutch or the Canadians but not both, with those teams facing off in Japan.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
Some fans lamented the fact that under-fire coach Cai Bin and his team needed a boost from their regional adversaries.
"We're indeed a second-tier team with Cai at the helm and that's the truth," a Weibo user from Liaoning said. "It's just wild wishes for a medal [in Paris], so it's fine as long as the girls can show on the court the spirit of the old days."
"We were the world No 1 when Lang Ping was coaching but we are now only the top team in Asia," another comment from Sichuan read, referring to Cai's predecessor, who led her side to 2016 Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro and the 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles.
Some hardcore supporters remained faithful, pointing out that the women were the nation's only team to have been world champions in volleyball, basketball or football.
"I am still glad we made it to the Games - the girls don't have many more years left, let's go for it in Paris," a comment from Yunnan read.
The Chinese defeated Germany in straight sets at Hong Kong Coliseum in Friday's final match. Star player Zhu Ting, who has been battling back from a long-term wrist injury, started for a second time in Hong Kong in as many games.
The 29-year-old outside hitter chipped in 12 points to be among the top scorers. Captain Yuan Xinyue and Li Yingying had 13 points each as China cruised to a 25-19, 25-17 and 25-18 win.
It left China as the highest-placed Asian team, having overtaken Japan, with two days of matches left.
There are five remaining berths for women's volleyball in Paris. Two will be awarded to the leading Asian and African teams, while the remaining three will go to the highest-placed teams yet to qualify.
China have not missed the Olympics in volleyball since making their debut in 1984. They triumphed in Los Angeles, Athens and Rio, finished second in Atlanta, and took bronze in Seoul and Beijing.
In the first match of Friday, Brazil extended their Nations League winning streak to 11 games by dominating Bulgaria to prevail 25-11, 25-11, 25-23.
Still undefeated this season, Brazil will take on world No 1 Turkey on the final day on Sunday.
"We are preparing for the Olympics, so winning these 11 games is amazing," 20-year-old outside hitter Ana Cristina said. "We know that we are on the right way, but it's not the end and we have to continue like this.
"We are focused not only on the Games but also on the VNL, especially the finals in Thailand."
Finals week will be held at the 8,000-seater Indoor Stadium Huamark next Thursday to Sunday, with the women's draw for the Paris Games held in Bangkok on Wednesday.
More Articles from SCMP
China’s markets watchdog aims to enhance funds recognition scheme with Hong Kong to boost flows
Alibaba, Xiaohongshu tout sales growth in China’s midyear e-commerce festival
Stanley Ho’s youngest son Mario sets sights on China’s first esports IPO in the US
How do hydrogen vehicles work? Are they the future of transport?
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.
Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
2024-06-15T03:16:30Z dg43tfdfdgfd
