Press release

Tokyo, Japan, June 6, 2012 -  China beat Japan in four sets (25-19, 25-27, 25-18, 25-18) on the fourth day of action in the FIVB Men's World Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym on Wednesday.

The victory evened China's record at 2-2, while Japan slid to 2-2 with the loss.

Chen Ping registered a match-high 18 points. Zhang Chen added 17 points.

Kunihiro Shimizu was the leading scorer for Japan with 16 points. Yoshihiko Matsumoto had 15 points.

China featured a quick and strong attack in the win. They exploited Japan's blocking from the start and passed the ball well.

Japan had trouble with both serves and receptions throughout the contest, just holding on to take the second set.

China jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first set and Japan called a timeout. A spike by Bian Hongmin gave China a 7-2 lead. Tatsuya Fukuzawa served into the net and China was up 8-4 at the first TTO. Japan moved within a point at 9-8 on a reception error by China. Zhang Chen's spike made it 12-9 for China. A spike by China took it to 15-9. Bian's spike put China on top 16-10 at the second TTO. A quick spike by Takaaki Tomimatsu pulled Japan within four at 19-15. A powerful smash by Chen Ping put China within two points of the set at 23-17. Zhang made it set point at 24-18 with a spike. China claimed the sset 25-19 on a Bian spike. Zhang had seven points in the set, while Shimizu recorded six.

Fukuzawa fired a serve long to give China a 5-4 edge in the second set. Liang Chunlong's spike made it 7-6 for China. A diving save by Yuta Yoneyama tied it 7-7. China led 8-7 at the first TTO. Japan moved in front 9-8 on a net infraction. A spike by Fukuzawa put Japan up 13-12. Japan led 15-13 after a spike by Yoneyama and China took a timeout. China served into the net and Japan was up 16-14 at the second TTO. Yoneyama's spike gave Japan a 20-17 lead. China equalized 21-21 on an error by Japan. Fukuzawa's spike made it 22-12 for Japan. A spike gave China 23-22 edge. Japan tied it 23-23 when Zhong Weijun sailed a serve long. China earned set point at 24-23 on a spike by Chen. Matsumoto's spike evened it again at 24-24. Shimizu's spike gave Japan set point at 25-24 and China called a timeout. China leveled at 25-25 on a spike, but then Chen sent a serve long. Matsumoto's block gave Japan the set 27-25.

A block by China gave them a 5-3 in the third set. A service ace by Li Runming made it 7-4 for China. A block by China made it 8-6 at the first TTO. Fukuzawa's spike tied it at 8-8. China moved ahead 10-8 on a spike by Chen. Fukuzawa served into the net and China led 14-11. Matsumoto sailed a serve long and China was on top 16-12 at the second TTO. Yamamura served into the net and China was up 20-16. Shimizu served into the net and China was two points from the set at 23-17. Bian's block clinched the set 25-18 for China.

Shimizu sent a spike wide and China grabbed a 5-3 lead in the fourth set. A spike by Shen Qiong made it 7-4 for China. Chen's spike sent China into the first TTO with an 8-5 advantage. Another spike by chen made it 10-6. A service ace by Chen gave China a six-point lead at 15-9. Shimizu sent a spike wide and China was on top 16-9 at the second TTO. Yusuke Ishijima sent a serve into the net and China led 20-12. A spike by Fukuzawa made it 22-15. A service ace by Fukuzawa drew Japan within four at 22-18. A spike by China put them two points from victory at 23-18. Yamamoto's spike flew long and China had match point at 24-18. Ishijima sent a spike wide and China prevailed 25-18. 

Japan battle Australia on Thursday, while China take on Korea.