Host China compiled a 3-0 win-loss record after outlasting nemesis Brazil in a five-set thriller to top Group B at the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round held in east China's port city of Ningbo on Sunday.
China wins over Brazil 3-2 to top Group B at the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round held in east China's port city of Ningbo on Sunday, June 22, 2008.
While Brazil collected two wins to take the second place of the group in the first week preliminary round of the prestigious event.
Earlier, a valiant Thai team battled hard but still slumped to their third straight loss in the group, being defeated by Germany 3-1 to finish at bottom.
Germany, having lost to China and Brazil in a row in previous matches, compiled a 1-2 record and finished third in the standings.
It was the closest and most absorbing match of the three-day stop when China took on the six-time winner Brazil as China twice rallied from one set down to stay on course before stunning a strong Brazilian comeback in the tie-break.
"It is a good match for everybody, I am happy with the game. With more than 40 days countdown to the Beijing Olympics, I expect to play against China in Beijing. But it is always difficult to play against China. It is important to improve ourselves and learn to play against them. They are very strong," Brazil head coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes said after the match.
"I think China has great chance to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics. But you know, there are eight teams who are able to win the championships, so it is hard to say," he added.
The match was tight at the beginning of the opening set, both teams hitting top gear early and scoring some fine winners.
Brazil converted on the first of their two set points for 25-22 as skipper Pequeno Paula popped up on the left to pound a clever winner.
China reached the first technical timeout 8-6 in the second set, but the Brazilians replied with a 7-2 run to overtake the lead at 13-10.
The rivalry was still intense after China squeezed through the second set at 26-24. Claudino Fabiana, Oliveira Walewska and Castro Sheilla put Brazil on course as the South American team led the first technical timeout at 8-3 in the third set.
The Chinese spikers did not have cold feet as middle blocker Zhao Ruirui and skipper Li Juan got to work again, helping tie the match at 13-13, but it was the Brazilians that came into the second technical timeout ahead at 16-14.
The Brazilians had the initiative. After a block by Brazil captain Albuquerque Carolina on Wang Yimei, they took the set at 25-22 and were one set up again.
The Brazilian block was quickly into gear in the fourth set, meaning China would have to use all their court craft and improvisation to break through. A superb block from middle blocker Xue Ming on Sheilla helped China reach the second technical timeout in front 16-15.