Advanced Search
Business | Metro | Nation | World | Sports | Features | Specials | Delta Stories
 
 
Chinese coach Shi expects tougher matches against Hong Kong
30/11/2006 10:06

Shi Zhihao, head coach of the Chinese women's table tennis team, said his players did not met any real challenges in their two straight-set wins over Kuwait and Vietnam at the Doha Asian Games here on Wednesday.

"Today's matches saw no strong teams against us, and the real challenge will come up tomorrow," said Shi after Guo Yue, Li Xiaoxia and Guo Yan trashed Vietnam 3-0 in 46 minutes.

Before the afternoon's competitions of the women's team event, Shi's team had beaten Kuwait 3-0 with fielding Wang Nan, Chen Qingand Li Xiaoxia.

Thursday morning, the Chinese women paddlers will meet their last and toughest opponents in Group B, the team of Hong Kong, who finished runners-up at the world team championships last May in Bremen, losing only to China in the final.

Shi, however, did not want to take it too seriously against Hong Kong.

"I don't feel pressure against the Hong Kong team, since the top two finishers from the group will both advance to the next phrase and what we chase now is just to earn a better place into the quarterfinal draw," said the Asiad "debutant", who was appointed to the post late last year.



Xinhua News