Beijing Daily Client | Reporter Kong Ning
Late at night on June 28th, Beijing time, the 2022 World Women's Volleyball League Bulgaria Sofia match started. After five rounds of fierce battle, the Chinese women's volleyball team narrowly defeated the Brazilian women's volleyball team 2-3.
Due to physical reasons, the long-lost setter Diao Linyu finally returned to the game, which is bound to enhance the speed and changes of the Chinese team's offense. The starting lineup of the Chinese women's volleyball team is setter Diao Linyu, main attackers Li Yingying and Wang Yunxi, secondary attackers Yuan Xinyue and Wang Yuanyuan, support Gong Xiangyu and free agent Wang Weiyi. The coach of the Brazilian women's volleyball team is still Guimarães. The starting lineup he sent is Makris, with Gabi and Daloit as main attackers, Carroll and Julia as secondary attackers, Kissi and Libero as backup. Thalia.
Many Chinese fans came to the scene, and the fans' cheering created a good competition atmosphere for the Chinese women's volleyball team. The first encounter in the Paris Olympics cycle put the two teams in a period of mutual adaptation at the beginning, with the offense and defense showing a great openness and combination. After a period of chaos, the Brazilian team took the lead in stabilizing and resolutely played fast, leading by a score of 11 to 5. The Chinese team took advantage of the height of the net block to catch up to 11 to 15, still 4 points behind. The Brazilian team played very smoothly and led by 6 points 20 to 14. The Chinese team's serve did not damage the Brazilian team's first pass enough, so the Brazilian team attacked smoothly and won the first game 25-20.
The new generation attacker of the Brazilian women's volleyball team said before the game that the Chinese team is a strong team with mature techniques and tactics, and has a strong willpower in every game. Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu are the main offensive points of the Chinese team. In this game, the Brazilian team obviously blocked Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu in a targeted manner, and also specially targeted Gong Xiangyu's first pass when serving, which blocked Gong Xiangyu's offense many times. However, the Brazilian women's volleyball team is not tall, and the Chinese team, which has the advantage at the net, finally took the lead 7-6 with the help of blocks. The Chinese team's serve gradually came out, thus driving the block and suppressing the opponent. The Chinese team led 9-7. The Brazilian team served and broke the ball, and its tactics were changeable, leading 15-11. The Brazilian team's three-dimensional attack around Gabi was effective, but the Chinese team's blocking was poor. When the Chinese team fell behind 12 to 16, Ding Xia replaced Diao Linyu to change the rhythm of the second pass. At the same time, Chen Peiyan replaced Gong Xiangyu who was too targeted by the opponent. Chen Peiyan, who is 1.93 meters tall, appeared at the net, making Gabi's offense uncomfortable. The Chinese team was still 3 points behind 15-18. As their opponents gradually adapted, Diao Linyu and Gong Xiangyu replaced Ding Xia and Chen Peiyan, and the Chinese team was only 1 point away from 18-19. Li Yingying's counterattack was blocked by Kissi, and the Chinese team fell behind 21 to 23. Diao Linyu boldly organized a fast break counterattack, Yuan Xinyue showed no mercy, and the Chinese team chased to 22-23. Wang Yunxiu counterattacked and scored, and the Chinese team finally tied the score at 23. Unfortunately, a counterattack failed, allowing the opponent to seize the opportunity. Once a pass flew, the Brazilian team narrowly won the second game 25-23.
Jin Ye replaced Wang Yunxiang and partnered with Li Yingying on the main attack line. The Chinese team's defense against main attacker Daloit and new supporter Kissi was relatively good, but the blocking effect against main attacker Gabi, who was only 1.80 meters tall in his peak period, was not effective. In order to strengthen the first pass and defense, Cai Bin sent Ni Feifan, letting her and Wang Weiyi alternately play, implementing a double free man tactic. The defense continued to stabilize, making Li Yingying's counterattack more effective, and the Chinese team led 9-6. The Brazilian team blocked and attacked at a high level and took the lead 13-12. Then, the two teams of China and Pakistan started a tug-of-war. Yuan Xinyue succeeded in a light hanging, and the Chinese team led 18 to 16. Wang Yuanyuan blocked Carroll's fast break alone. The Chinese team led 21 to 17 and Guimarães called a timeout. Li Yingying combined with a fight and a draw, and the Chinese team continued to lead 23-18. Jin Ye counterattacked with a strong attack, and the Chinese team led 24 to 18 to get the game point. Gong Xiangyu succeeded in the back attack, and the Chinese team regained the game 25-18.
In the fourth game, Yuan Xinyue's continuous fast-break counterattacks and Jin Ye's strong counterattacks worked, and the Chinese team tied the game at 6. Subsequently, the Chinese team defended tenaciously and the block was effective. The Chinese team led 11-8. Guimarães replaced the main attacker Julia and the setter Roberta, but the Chinese team played decisively and led 15-10.The Brazilian team seized the counterattack opportunity and was 2 points behind 14-16. The Chinese team continued to put pressure on the Brazilian team and started decisively, leading by 3 points 21 to 18. Brazilian team Kissi attacked and chased to 20-22. Yuan Xinyue's high block and high lob were successful. The Chinese team won the game 25-21 and tied the total score at 2.
In the deciding game, Diao Linyu organized a fast break from the secondary offensive line to open the way. Li Yingying stormed and Gong Xiangyu served to score, and the Chinese team tied the game at 4. Li Yingying stepped on the line and fouled in the back attack. The team's first pass was unstable. Brazil led 8-5, and the Chinese team coach Cai Bin called a timeout. The Brazilian team continuously seized counterattack opportunities and led 10-6. The tenacious Chinese team relied on the block to catch up to 9-10 and was only 1 point away. The Brazilian coach Guimarães called a timeout. The Brazilian team continued to succeed in blocking and once again expanded its lead 12-9. Ding Xia replaced Diao Linyu and changed the rhythm. However, the Brazilian team was better overall and its serve worked. The Brazilian team won the decider 15-11. Although the strong dialogue failed in this game, the tenacious performance of the Chinese women's volleyball team throughout the entire process is still commendable.
Photo courtesy of FIVB
