Chinese women's team coach Shi Zhihao said Wednesday that his team has fulfilled the task of practicing young players and is set to finish first in group competitions.

Speaking to reporters after the Chinese trio of Zhang Yining, Guo Yue and Wang Nan beat their Romanian rivals all at straight sets at the 48th World Team Table Tennis Championships in Bremen, Germany, Shi said that in all the four rounds of group matches, his players all played ideally.

He noted that as India, which will play against, is relatively a weak team, China has finished the task of practicing novices and coming in first in the first stage of the championships.

Previously, the Chinese women, the defending champions, beat the Czech Republic, Serbia and Belarus 3-0.

On the men's side, the Chinese paddlers showed their power in the sport as they beat Denmark 3-0 in a third round clash.

World number one player Wang Liqin spearheaded the Chinese squad in Wednesday's competition.

Wang started the first set with a good form and upset Denmark's Michael Maze 11-4.

The European champion, however, trailed from 2-0 behind to win the second set 11-8.

Wang gave no chance to his Danish rival and wrapped up the victory by winning 11-3 and 11-6 in the following two sets.

Chinese veteran Ma Lin and rising star Chen Qi continued the winning tune and each claimed a 3-0 victory in the following two matches.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)