Japan struggled with a 3-2 win against Kazakhstan in the women's volleyball event at the Doha Asian Gameson Saturday, while Hong Kong, China, was beaten by Bahrain 0-3 in the men's competition.

 

Rapidly-improving Kazakhstan, who clinched the 2005 Asian Championship silver medal after upsetting Japan 3-2 in the semifinals, captured the first set 25-23, but produced several unforced spiking and serving errors to go down in the following set 13-25.

 

The Kazakhstan maintained their poise and came back strongly to win the third set 25-20, however, the enduring Japanese relied on their exceptional defense against the rivals' fierce attack in thefourth set, pulling it back 25-22 and forcing the match into a decisive fifth set.

 

The Japanese were in ascendancy in the do-or-die tie-breaker, while the Kazakhstan players seemingly lost their hearts. Kazakhstan's less concentration and courage cost them dear at the big points as they went down 13-15.

 

Despite the loss, Shapran Vyacheslav, Kazakhstan's head coach were satisfied with his players' performance.

 

"Luck is not at our side this time, but it's nothing. We will make all out to go to the final and we still have chance," he said.

 

In another Pool B match of the women's volleyball on Saturday, Thailand beat Mongolia in straight sets, keeping an unbeatable record in Pool B like Japan.

 

Nine teams are split into two groups to battle for the women's volleyball championship, with China, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam playing in Group A and Kazakhstan, Japan, Thailand, Tajikistan and Mongolia in Group B.

 

For the men's competition, Hong Kong, China, who suffered a miserable 0-3 loss to the United Arab Emirates in qualifying, was defeated by Bahrain 11-25, 15-25, 19-25.

 

Earlier in the day, United Arab Emirates overshadowed Lebanon 3-1, while Saudi Arabia gained a hard 3-2 win over arch rival Kuwait.

 

Ten men teams are competing for another two seats of the quarterfinals with Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Macao, Thailand and Bahrain in Pool B, while India, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates in Pool A. Only the top finisher of two groups qualified for the quarterfinals.

 

Host Qatar has directly entered the last eight with five world championship participants, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Kazakhstan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2006)