Hosts China came from one set down to beat the Netherlands 3-1 on the second day of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League competition at the Galaxy Arena yesterday.
Both teams are fighting for ranking points in order to qualify for the Paris Olympics. China made a slow start to the match with some uncharacteristic errors as the Netherlands took an early lead, winning the first set 25-21. However, outstanding plays by Gong Xiangyu and Wang Yuanyuan helped China win the second set 25-23 to level the match.
With momentum on its side, China edged the third set 25-23 with Li Yingying, Wu Mengjie and Yuan Xinyue starring in both offence and defence. The Netherlands tried to mount a comeback in the fourth set with attacking plays by Elles Dambrink and Jolien Knollema, but China managed to withstand the pressure.
[See more: Organisers announce National Games events for Macao]
A solid Italian team meanwhile scored a straight-set victory over France, 25-15, 25-14, 25-14, and go on to face the Dominican Republic today. France meets Japan this afternoon and Brazil clashes with Netherlands this evening. China meets Japan tomorrow.
Tickets for some matches are still available via a number of platforms, including MacauTicket.com, priced from 180 patacas to 1,380 patacas.
Macao is part of the second week of preliminary rounds of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League. Other rounds are simultaneously taking place in Arlington, Texas, and the finals will be played in Bangkok between 20 and 23 June.
