Host Japan saves face with dramatic volleyball win

Host Japan saves face with dramatic volleyball win

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AFP): Japan came within two points of defeat
in the men's volleyball final yesterday but rallied to beat
defending champion China in a dramatic finish to an Asian Games
lacking in magical moments.

The stunning 12-15, 13-15, 15-13, 15-2, 15-10 triumph also
gave Japan its first Asiad crown since 1982 and saved some
national honor in an event where gold medals have been hard to
come by for the host.

With some his players shedding tears of joy around him,
Japanese coach Seiji Oko said: "We felt we had to win because it
had been so long since we won at the Asian Games."

A packed arena screamed with delight when Nakagaichi's slam
deflected out of bounds off two Chinese blockers to give Japan
the final point.

"This was a great victory," Japanese captain Yuichi Nakagaichi
said. "We never quit."

China's 'great wall' of blockers denied Japanese shots
throughout most of the first three games. Zheng Liang and Li
Haiyun stuffed Japanese attackers while attackers Zhang Liming
and Zhang Xiang slammed down key points.

Zhang Liming spiked or blocked to score five straight points
and give China a 12-6 lead in the third set. But Japan scored
nine of the next 10 points, holding off three serves, China
needed only two points to remain champion.

"We became very nervous in the third set," Chinese coach Shen
Fulin said. "Because of our nerves, the mood changed suddenly."

And dramatically. Japan breezed through the fourth set and
never trailed in the fifth. Nakagaichi spiked home four points in
the deciding game, one after a tremendous diving save by Shigeru
Aoyama.

After their four-set collapse, the Chinese men returned to
their locker room and did not return when play was set to begin.
After a few anxious moments, they emerged wearing fresh uniforms
and played after a delay warning.

"We wanted to change clothes and we had become very nervous
after the third set, therefore they had to take time to calm
themselves," Shen said.

Nakagaichi, Aoyama, Hideyuki Otake, Masayuki Izumikawa and
Katsuyuki Minami sparked the Japanese comeback. All were on the
Japanese team that placed sixth in the 1992 Olympics.

Japan had beaten China in six of seven meetings since the
Barcelona Games, but found its play improved since last year's
Asian championship.

"Their skills made it very difficult for us," Oko said. "But
we were in a very good mood. That led to victory."