Cuban head coach Perdomo Estrella Antonio has promised host
China his team will not let the reigning Olympic champions have a
plain sailing when they renew their rivalry in the Beilun Cup
women's volleyball invitational which swings into action
Wednesday.
Both China and Cuba, who rallied from 2-0 down in sets to beat
the Chinese 3-2 but had still to settle for the runner-up in last
week's invitational held in Jiangsu Province, are expected to fight
it out for the title of the Beilun tournament which also features
the Netherlands and Dominican Republic.
"I am very confident about my players' abilities," Antonio told
a press briefing Tuesday. "And I think it is realistic that we
achieve another win against China."
Chinese head coach Chen Zhonghe kept a low key ahead of the
three-day tournament, saying his fledgling team needs more
international exposure to prepare for next year's Olympic
Games.
"We have several new players and this tournament is a good
opportunity for them to improve teamwork and accumulate experience,
" said Chen.
China has retained the bulk of their Olympic gold medal-winning
side, though it has included four new faces on the team.
China begins its campaign Wednesday night by taking on the
Netherlands, while Cuba faces Dominican Republic.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2007)