China Targets at Last Eight at Women's Volleyball Worlds

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, September 06, 2002

China Targets at Last Eight at Women's Volleyball Worlds

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With competitions to resume at the second round in three German cities, Chinese head coach said his squad would make steady efforts to reach the last eight at the 2002 women's volleyball world championships.

"Considering the strong teams drawn into the second round, the competitions would certainly be tougher. But I am confident of reaching the last eight (the quarter-finals)," Chen Zhonghe predicted at a press conference Thursday.

"Bulgaria has been very strong and has made fast progress in the last few years. They are strong in attacks and the players co-ordinate well during the game," said Chen.

The Chinese coach also said that he had noticed that most of the Bulgarian players experienced the last world championships in Japan. Russia won the 1998 tournament.

Having not played against Puerto Rico before, the Chinese coach admitted he had known little of another opponents Puter Rico.

"I have not thought of things concerning the coming Asian Gamesin Busan in October and I have to concentrate on the current world championships," Chen said when answering a question on the issue.

"South Koreans have been known for their great potential, high moral and technical capability. They pose a great threat to each of their rivals," Chen said.

"We had not played against any of the teams here (in Pool F), so it would be a good chance for us to gain experience," said David Aleman, Puerto Rico's head coach.

"The world of volleyball has been very technical in the recent years. The four teams here all have achieved what they'd expected and were going to give the best we can to reach the next round in Berlin," said South Korean coach Ryu Hoa Suk.

He admitted having known little of the Puerto Ricans, the Korean coach said he had to know more about them through replay of video tape recording. "But they are not going to be easy side for any team and are by no means to be under-estimated," he warned.

With one day off on Thursday, competitions resume for the second round for Pool E to F in Bremen, Stuttgart and Riesa.

Drawn into Pool F, China is to play the pool's opener on Friday against Bulgaria, who finished second in Group A in the first round. Puerto Rico finished third in Group C and South Korea came out winners of Group B with five straight wins, in the first round.

The three-day second round consists of three pools of four, 12 teams in total formed by each group's top three sides.

Drawn into Pool E in Bremen are Group A winners Italy, runners-up of Group B and C Cuba and Russia, as well as third-placed Greece from Group D.

Pool G set for in Riesa, eastern Germany, is made of South American champions and Group D winners Brazil, top-ranked side of Group C the United Group, and Greece and the Netherlands, both finished third in their respective first round groups, A and B.

The top two teams of each pool and the two best third-ranked teams, or known as the last eight, are to vie for berths in the next three phases of knockout competition - quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.

The world championships are to close on September 15 in Berlin.

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