China's Wu Mengjie spikes the ball during their final against Japan at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women in Pasig, Philippines, August 29, 2022. /CFP
Team Japan won the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women for the first time after defeating reigning champions China 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-16 in the final in Pasig, Philippines, on Monday.
Both teams fielded young squads for this tournament, as the main players are preparing for the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, which will take place later in September in the Netherlands and Poland.
Japanese players celebrate a point during the final against China at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women in Pasig, Philippines, August 29, 2022. /CFP
With an average age of merely 20, it was the first time most of the Chinese players competed in a major international event for adults, while their counterparts had more experience. As a result, China lost the first two sets without posing much threat to Japan.
China led the third set by a large margin, but Japan picked up their momentum in the fourth set and led 4-0. Japan kept their advantage throughout the set and took home the championship.
Meanwhile, Thailand swept Vietnam 25-19, 26-24, 25-18 to take the bronze medal for a third consecutive time at the event.
Earlier in the day, the Chinese men's volleyball team suffered a second defeat in the group stage for the world championship, losing in a decider against Canada 25-23, 25-21, 25-23, which means China is unlikely to enter the last 16.
World No. 19 China will clash with gold favorite Italy on Wednesday.