2018 Asian Games: Lang Ping aims for gold in women's volleyball

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Europe

02:25

At the upcoming Asian games, Lang Ping will lead China's women's volleyball team for the second time. And this time their goal is clear, to claim the gold medal. But they know that will be harder done than said in Jakarta. Mark Fontes has more.

Lang Ping first coached China at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok where they beat South Korea 3-1 in the final for their first gold in eight years at the competition. 20 years later at the Beilun training center, Lang is working with a new squad who hopes to replicate that feat.

LANG PING CHINA COACH "In Asia, South Korea and Japan are very strong and any team that meets them should give their best effort in the match."

In this year's Volleyball Nations League, an inexperienced Chinese team lost to the USA, Brazil, Poland, and South Korea. Rio Olympics gold medalists Hui Ruoqi, Wei Qiuyue, and Xu Yunli had been replaced young players who still have a lot to work on. But with Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning returning to the team, Lang's ideal squad will be formed for Jakarta.

LANG PING CHINA COACH "The team is far from perfect technically and we need to improve in a lot of areas."

ZHU TING CHINA TEAM CAPTAIN "This is a new experience for me. I've played in Europe and elsewhere, but I've never played in the Asian Games. So it will be a different experience."

In the training squad of 16 players, this will be a first Asian Games for captain Zhu, while Ding Xia, Zhang Changning, and Yan Ni might get their second chance to compete. Four years ago in Incheon, China lost 3-0 in the final to hosts South Korea. That loss has motivated the team to do better in Jakarta, but the final squad of 12 players is still not decided.

"The World Championships are close to the Asian Games, so we are actually now preparing for both. No matter who gets to go the Asian Games, we all have to give our best to prepare for it, because there is no guarantee that we will win the gold medal."

China is in the same group with South Korea, while Japan and Thailand are in another group. China will face Vietnam in their opening game on August 19th. CGTN.