China’s women target volleyball world No 1 spot after taking Japan scalp in Hong Kong
Middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan says her team need to ‘attack every one’ of the best sides in the game after 3-1 win at Kai Tak
China’s women vowed to become the best volleyball team in the world once again, after an impressive 3-1 win over Japan at the Volleyball Nations League in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Roared on by a boisterous home crowd at a sold-out Kai Tak Arena, China served Japan only their second defeat of the season – with the first a 3-2 loss to Italy on Friday.
China’s victory means they are now the highest-ranked team in Asia, stealing Japan’s No 5 spot, with Nippon dropping down to No 6.
“I think every team will have this determination to be the best in the world, we are also hoping that we can again be the best,” Wang Yuanyuan, the middle blocker, said.
“But I think that there are many great teams in the world, and we need to attack every one of them. I believe that in regard to results and world rankings, we won’t think too much, but instead enjoy every match.”
China wasted no time in taking down Japan, establishing a 5-1 lead early in the first set before seeing it out 25-15. The second set was even more straightforward, with China coming out on top 25-12.