Chinese Taipei's giant-killing run ended by Turkey

Chinese Taipei's giant-killing run ended yesterday when they crashed to a four-set defeat to European silver medallists Turkey in the women's world volleyball championships.

The team, who shocked Asian rivals Japan and South Korea and European champions Poland in the first stage, suffered their first loss (25-17, 25-16, 21-25, 25-17) in the eight-team Pool E in Nagoya.

"The Turkish team played wonderfully. We couldn't play our best against them today. Tactically we made too many mistakes. That's why we lost," said Chinese Taipei captain Chen Shu-li.

"Our spikes didn't work and the blocks weren't good enough. It made it tough for the defensive players at the back."

Chinese Taipei coach Lin Kuang-hung said he had not expected Darnel Neslihan to play so well, scoring a total of 22 points - 17 points off her powerful shots, as well as two service winners and three off her blocking.

"Turkey played really well," Lin said.

"We made every effort to win, but we have to think about the reasons why we lost. Turkey's team was tall, but in Pool A we defeated Poland, who are also tall."

Neslihan said: "This match was very important, because it was the first match of the second round. We wanted to win it very much, and we had no doubt that we would. But Chinese Taipei were very good and we are happy that we won."

Turkish coach Resat Yaziciogullari said: "We have had a good start to the second round. With this win, other teams in this pool now have a chance."

Serbia and Montenegro, Russia and Brazil, who carried over three wins from the first stage, all remained unbeaten, scoring their sixth straight wins for 4-0 records in the second stage.

Serbia and Montenegro fought off South Korea 25-23, 25-19, 25-22, while Brazil outgunned Azerbaijan 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 in Pool E.

"I'm not pleased with the way my team played for most of the match, but I'm pleased with the result. Maybe we were still half asleep. But definitely I'm not happy about the way my players played in defence," said Serbia and Montenegro coach Zoran Terzic.

Olympic silver medallists Russia whipped Puerto Rico 25-16, 25-10, 25-20 in Pool F in Osaka.

"We still have problems with our setter," said Russian coach Giovanni Caprara. "We have an inexperienced setter, Marina Akulova, who is quick, and the other setter, Marina Sheshenina, is experienced but slow.

"But we have strong attacks to counter this problem. I hope we can continue to play this way. All our opponents are strong and we have to take it day by day. We cannot afford to lose any matches, because it may affect our semi-final chances," he added.

In other matches, defending champions Italy powered past Poland 25-19, 25-22, 25-13, while three-time former champions Cuba beat hosts Japan 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 in Nagoya.

Athens Olympic gold medallists China had to come back from one set and 1-6 down to beat the United States 20-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17, while the Netherlands squeezed through to a 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 16-14 win over Germany in Osaka.

Source: China Daily