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Published: 17:56, August 24, 2022
China ready to challenge at men's volleyball worlds, says coach
By Xinhua
Published:17:56, August 24, 2022 By Xinhua

Yu Yuantai (right) of China competes during a 2022 AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Cup match between China and Chinese Taipei in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, on Aug 8, 2022. (RACHEN SAGEAMSAK / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese players will give their best to challenge the world's top teams in the 2022 FIVB Men's World Championship which starts on Friday, head coach Wu Sheng noted.

"We need to have a clear mind that we are a comparatively weak team in the world championships and will try to challenge our opponents in the matches," Wu told Xinhua on Tuesday.

The young team lifted the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup earlier this month, winning China's first title in the tournament in ten years. The coach said the victory brought joy and confidence for the players, but added that they were not overwhelmed by the emotions.

Winning the AVC Cup brought the team closer together and makes the players more confident. However, happy as they are, I believe my boys are able to keep a cool head after the AVC Cup victory. They are aware that there's a gap between the level of the AVC Cup and that of world-class events like the Nations League.

Wu Sheng, head coach of China men's volleyball team

"Winning the AVC Cup brought the team closer together and makes the players more confident," Wu said.

"However, happy as they are, I believe my boys are able to keep a cool head after the AVC Cup victory. They are aware that there's a gap between the level of the AVC Cup and that of world-class events like the Nations League," Wu commented, pointing out that teams like Japan and Iran did not send their best players to the AVC Cup.

After the AVC Cup, China flew to Serbia to prepare for the world championships. Wu said he was happy to see his boys healthy and in good form after a week of training, where they focused on improving serve and receive techniques.

Wu confessed that the team had many problems when they first assembled, but through playing in the Nations League, where China finished 13th, and the AVC Cup, there is "better cooperation and understanding between the players."

READ MORE: China overcomes South Korea to reach AVC Cup finals

Head coach of China's men's volleyball team Wu Sheng (left) celebrates the victory over Brazil with Zhang Jingyin in Brasilia, June 12, 2022. (LUCIO TAVORA / XINHUA) 

The coach also expressed gratitude to the Serbian Volleyball Association who provided full support when the Chinese team trained in the country.

China will play Turkey, Canada and Italy in Pool E in the preliminary phase. The top two teams in each of the six pools and four best third-ranked teams will make it to the direct elimination phase.

Discussing China's chance of advancing to the elimination stage, Wu said that he didn't want his players to think too much or put themselves under too much pressure.

"You don't make it out of the pool by thinking about it, but by winning point by point," Wu said. "I have been telling the players to go out there and give their best without burdens."

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The world championships will be held from Aug 26 to Sept 11 in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, and the Polish cities of Katowice and Gliwice.

China's 14-man roster for the world championships is as follows:

Outside hitters: Zhang Jingyin, Yu Yuantai, Zhang Binglong, Wang Bin

Middle blockers: Peng Shikun, Li Yongzhen, Zhang Zhejia, Miao Ruantong

Opposites: Zhang Guanhua, Dai Qingyao

Setters: Yu Yaochen, Liu Meng

Liberos: Yang Yiming, Yang Tianyuan


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