Head coach Lang Ping (R) of China gestures during the women's Pool B match between China and Germany at the 2019 FIVB Tokyo Volleyball Qualification in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Jundong)
BEILUN, China, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese women's volleyball team is only one step away from 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as the team trounced Germany 3-1 in a FIVB Volleyball Qualification women's Pool B match here on Saturday.
China will clash against Turkey on Sunday and the winner of the game will book the berth for the 2020 Olympics.
Germany took the dominance for the most of the time in the first set. Trailing at 18-21, China's head coach Lang Ping sent Zeng Chunlei and Yao Di on court, China clawed three points back and tied the game at 21-21. Then Zeng's serving destroyed the Germany's defense and China scored two points in a row to took the set 25-22.
China built an early lead in the second set, with Zhu Ting's high-flying spikes and Yan Ni's firm blocks, China won the set 25-22 again.
The German team managed to pull their acts together in the third set and with Poll Jana Franziska and Geerties Jennifer, who together scored 28 points, on fire, Germany won the set 25-21.
The fourth set was much easier for the Chinese team, as they led at 5-1 and never looked back to seal the victory 25-15.
"We changed the starting positions in the fourth set, which helped the team a lot," said Lang Ping after the match, "This is a tough game. Germany did a great job, especially on their defense. We made some mistakes in our reception, but thanks to our attacking players, we won the game. I think we should do more on our blocking and defense."
Zhu Ting led the game with 21 points including 20 from spikes, her opposite Li Yingying had 13 points. Gong Xiangyu had 14 points and Yan Ni added 12, including seven blocks.
Early on Saturday, Turkey defeated Czech Republic 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17) and also marked two wins.
