Jakarta, Indonesia, September 5, 2007 -- Host Indonesia almost made a big surprise when they came back from 1-2 down to level 2-2 before being defeated by powerhouse China in a hard-fought five set 2-3 (16-25, 15-25, 25-21, 25-23, 10-15) game in Pool E match of 14th Asian Men’s Senior Volleyball Championship in Istora Stadium in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The day before, China also had to play in five sets and almost stumbled by Thailand, South East Asia (SEA Games) 2005, in another thriller match 3-2.

With this result, China, runner-up in Asian Championship 2005 edition, finished first in Pool E with three wins against no loss in Pool E which consists of Indonesia, Thailand, China and ChineseTaipei.

As the winner of Pool E, China in the next round will play Iran, the 4th rank of Pool F. Iran finished 4th after they are defeated by hot favourite Australia in five set 2-3 (23-25, 25-17, 16-25, 25-22, 13-15). The final round of the Championship, which begins on Thursday, will also play a round robin format, with the four teams in Pool E meet against the other four teams in Pool F.

“We played very bad in first two sets, especially in receiving and hard to play attacking game at this situation. But the next two sets, we changed our style by playing fast counter attack. This strategy running well and we can level 2-2,” said Mahfud Irsyada, assistant coach of Indonesian team.

Even though they lost the game, Mahfud admitted that he still satisfied by the result and his team did not expect they could give a challenge against China, one of the top teams in Asia.

“At least, this close game will motivate our player that they can give a scare to a top rank team like China, he said.

China’s head coach Zhou Jinan told reporters that they had to work hard to beat plucky Indonesian team. “We were under pressure when Indonesia changed their rhythm by playing fast counter attack in third and fourth set. We do not like that strategy, “ Zhou Jinan said.

"I hope we can learn from two previous games when we had to play in five sets,'" he added. China took the opening two sets easily but the host launched a great run in the third set and never looked back on its way to the fifth set.

Before 3000 cheering home crowd, Indonesia staged counterattack in the third set, grasping the first two point to lead 2-0 and extending their lead 8-4 after a superboy Muhamad Riviansyah’s block on Cui Xiaodong, a 205cm high middle blocker.

Indonesian team with outstanding teamwork, rallied to 19-14 and Ayip Rizal’s block on captain Shen Qiong clinched the third set 25-21 to close the margin 1-2.

In the fourth set, Indonesia which in high spirit and strong determination, again led until 13-10, when China grasped three point in a row to level 13-13. Indonesia, led by captain Erwin Rusni, played fast counter attack, fighting back to lead until 24-23 before a blazing spike from Joni Sugiatno finished the fourth set 25-23 to level 2-2.

But in the decisive set, China never gave the chances for Indonesia to escape from the pressure led all the way before romping to and finished the struggle of home team at scores of 15- 10.

In another Pool E match, Thailand took their first victory in the second round after beating Chinese Taipei in a hard-fought game 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-11).

“We are very sad with this loss. Thailand played very good and their hard-fought game against China last night made our players a little bit nervous, “ said Chen Chun-Liang, head coach of Chinese Taipei after the match.

Team manager of Thailand Chookiat Thaiyai said “We are very happy with this win. The key of our success to beat Taipei is fighting spirit.

With this result, Thailand finished second in Pool E and will play Korea, the third of Pool F. Chinese Taipei is third and will meet against Japan. Indonesia finished the last and will play the winner of Pool F Australia.

Copied from Asian Volley Ball Confideration