#VNL Pool 12 Preview – China Hosts Japan, Italy & Argentina

2018 FIVB WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE – WEEK 3 / POOL 12

• May 29-31, 2018
• Hong Kong Coliseum (Capacity: 12,500) | Hong Kong, China
• Time Zone: UTC + 8
• World Rankings: #1 China, #6 Japan, #7 Italy, #11 Argentina

Pool 12 features the top team in the world in China along with two near top five teams and a struggling Argentina bunch. The world rankings favor the top three more than they’ve showed in this tournament through six matches though, with China’s 3-3 record the best among all four teams. In total, the group combines for just a 7-17 record. That means the competition should be close and it also means there is a huge opportunity for one team to turn things around by feasting on the others and emerge back in the playoff race – although China is more so getting a test run in pool play since they know they get to host the elimination round and will be a part of it regardless. Beyond the action, this pool features the return of two stars for China and Italy.

Date	Time		Score		Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Total	Report
29 May	18:00	Japan	–	Italy	–	–	–			0–0
29 May	20:30	China	–	Argentina	–	–	–			0–0
30 May	18:00	Argentina	–	Italy	–	–	–			0–0
30 May	20:30	China	–	Japan	–	–	–			0–0
31 May	18:00	Japan	–	Argentina	–	–	–			0–0
31 May	20:30	China	–	Italy	–	–	–			0–0

STANDINGS

As mentioned earlier, the standings aren’t pretty for the four teams in this pool. China tops them all at just 3-3 with 10 points – meanwhile Italy, Japan and Argentina have a combined 13. It makes a bit of sense for the Chinese side though, as they still have enough to remain competitive and draw wins here or there, but aren’t at full force since they can use this for preparation for the elimination round that they are hosting and a part of. They will be closer to that full unit this week, with superstar Zhu Ting back in action, but the extent of how much remains to be seen (more on that later).

Below China is Italy and Japan, who both sit at 2-4. The Italians still have hope because they have the most points for a two-win team and return their own star player in Paola Egonu, while Japan is further down via tiebreaker. Both are still alive, but chasing a host of four and five win teams. That means they each have to have at least a 2-1 week in Pool 12, with a 3-0 week producing a much better result. Essentially if Italy or Japan were to earn a 1-2 week they’d be sitting at 3-6 and in a spot where they would probably have to win out.

Finally, at the bottom of the standings is Argentina, who is just 2-18 in sets played. They are the only nation in the event without a win, but will look to do so as the race to avoid relegation is on.

		MATCHES		PTS	SETS			POINTS
Rank	Team	W	L		W	L	Ratio	W	L	Ratio
1	United States	5	1	16	17	4	4.250	510	429	1.189
2	Brazil	5	1	15	16	6	2.667	528	418	1.263
3	Serbia	5	1	15	16	6	2.667	520	469	1.109
4	Turkey	5	1	14	16	6	2.667	512	466	1.099
5	Netherlands	5	1	14	15	6	2.500	503	434	1.159
6	Russia	4	2	12	12	9	1.333	475	462	1.028
7	South Korea	4	2	11	12	9	1.333	481	426	1.129
8	China	3	3	10	12	10	1.200	474	455	1.042
9	Italy	2	4	7	8	12	0.667	424	450	0.942
10	Belgium	2	4	6	8	14	0.571	436	492	0.886
11	Japan	2	4	6	7	13	0.538	421	466	0.903
12	Thailand	2	4	5	9	14	0.643	508	520	0.977
13	Poland	2	4	5	10	16	0.625	557	571	0.975
14	Dominican Republic	1	5	5	8	15	0.533	440	523	0.841
15	Germany	1	5	3	6	16	0.375	455	524	0.868
16	Argentina	0	6	0	2	18	0.111	355	494	0.719

POOL PREVIEW

Not only is China the highest rated team in the pool according to the FIVB World Rankings and the team with the best overall record, but they also have a huge boost with one of, if not the, best players in the world in Zhu Ting returning. We got to see some of the youth and other pieces of China early, and the first six matches without Zhu should add experience and make the rest of the team more well-rounded. Now with Zhu added to the fold and playing at home in a building that holds over 12,000, China will be the favorite in Pool 12.

Of course, Italy and Japan should make things interesting, especially considering they will be playing with desperation knowing that they need a big week to offset a lackluster opening six matches. Even if China were to go 3-0 though, a 2-1 week for either of these teams would be a nice week. That will make the match between Italy and Japan critical for staying near the playoff race. In terms of proximity to home, that would favor Japan, but Italy has been slightly better in the event and gets back Paola Egonu along with a few other reinforcements. That would favor Italy to finish second in the pool, if not first if they can upend China.

We will see what Argentina can provide to the pool. There aren’t many expectations, and it seems likely that they will walk out of the week at 0-9 overall. If they can upend Italy or Japan though, not only would it be key to working up to the other bottom-end teams, but it would also throw a wrench into those plans of Italy or Japan getting back into the top half.

STORIES TO WATCH

• Argentina  – The South American side has struggled in a block and serve capacity, but they have found a solid three-headed attack offensively. That’s led by Anahi Florencia Tosi, who has a team-best 61 points and 58 spikes. The key will be developing those other options and other facets of the game, which they will continue to work on in Pool 12.
• China – We promised to return back to the Zhu Ting news that she will be back this week with her national team. After getting a well-deserved rest following a long club season, Zhu should now provide a lift to China. Beyond providing an extra option, she brings a presence defensively and on the block. China has been able to manufacture points with a strong showing from some young faces, but no player is averaging more than 0.36 blocks per set. Zhu should change that, but we will see if China eases her into play slowly this week.
• Italy – Don’t let the addition of Zhu Ting take up all the news in the this pool, because Italy has made some crucial reinforcements as well. The most notable of the bunch is Paola Egonu, who was second in the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix in scoring. With the addition of her and a few others, Italy is up to eight players from that roster in the 2017 event, compared to just three from their opening week when they went 0-3.
• Japan – Setters Kanami Tashiro and Koyomi Tominaga have posted solid numbers in leading the Japanese attack and will need to be even better this week in Pool 12. They’ll need Sarina Koga to continue her strong play in attack and find more options to support her if they want to match the roster revivals for China and Italy.