2006 World Championships
China and India start on right foot (FIVB)
06/24/2005
Chennai, India, June 24, 2005 - After the colourful inauguration by the local Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalithaa, China and India began their 2006 World Championship campaigns successfully on Friday by beating the two first round advancers Thailand and Indonesia respectively in the third and final Asian second round tournament – Asia Pool E.

China, ranked 15th in the world, downed world number 37 Thailand 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 in 64 minutes while India (26th in the world) survived a huge scare against world number 40 Indonesia, being stretched to five sets before prevailing 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 in 98 minutes in front of over 5,600 spectators.

It was the crowd that cheered on India right to the end. Otherwise the team was in trouble, failing to find any rhythm right through out the match. Even in the deciding set Indonesia led 13-12, but spikers P.M. Shijas, P.S. Srikanth and blocker R. Rajiv finally kept their cool and scored three points in a row to help India across the line.

Indonesia's most impressive player was setter A. Maspaitella Loudyans, who used his arc pass superbly to split the India defence, while Muhammad Zainudin, Tirtana I Nyoman Rudi and Achmad Rizqon Aris were all sharp and deceptive on attack, but in the end, India managed to stay in the game thanks to their superior spiking.

Meanwhile, an excellent all round display from Shen Qiong lifted China to their opening victory over Thailand with Sui Shensheng, Shen Qiong and Ma Ming all in support.

Tabwises Wanchai, who has impressed in the Youth and Junior World Championship tournaments, failed to lift Thailand's game. The stocky spiker looked off colour right through out the match and with him went Thailand’s chances.

In Saturday’s action China play Indonesia before India take on Thailand in the second match.
(Released by FIVB)