Japan overpowers China into women's volleyball semifinals at Olympics

China's players celebrate a point against Japan during their women's quarterfinal volleyball match at Earls Court during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 7, 2012. [Photo / Agencies]

LONDON -- Japan outgunned Asian arch rival China 3-2 in the semifinals of the women's volleyball event at the London Olympics here on Tuesday.

China, champion in 2004 Athens Games and bronze medal winner in Beijing Games, lost the match 28-26, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25 and 18-16 at the Earls Court, central London.

Japan will face the winner between Russia and defending champion Brazil in the semifinals.

The two sides started strongly to tie 13-all as China raced ahead 19-15 with a 6-2 run. But, Japan, led by Kimura and, pulled level at 21-21 and then 25-25. China saved a set points before losing the set 26-28.

China revived to lead 4-1 in the second set before Japan pulled back to level 6-6 and tie 14-all. Middle blocker Xu Yunli joined Wang Yimei to take a narrow lead 22-18.  After Japan fought back 22-23 with a 4-1 run, the Chinese women left no chance to their rivals, with a Wang's back-front kill and a spike from Xu, China took the set 25-23.

The third set saw wing spiker Yuiko Ebata add points for Japan to lead 6-4, when China fought back to tie 6-6 along to 12-all. China's wing spiker Hui Ruoqi, also the leading scorer of the team so far in the tournament, came for rescue with four kills to help China lead 15-12. Japan staged an impressive 5-2 run to equal 17-all and then tie along to 21-21.  Ebata scored four kills to help Japan take the set point 24-22. China's Hui saved one set point, but Kimura smashed China's attempt to comeback with an unanswered spike. Japan edged a thrilling set 25-23.

The same key spikers performed best in the fourth set, but Japan made mistakes and could not handle Wang's bombardment. Brilliantly co-ordinated by setter Wei Qiuyue, they took the set 25-23.

The decider saw Wang's kills put China narrowly in the lead before Japan levelled 5-5. Ebata and Kimura stepped up and their hard spiking eventually won the set 18-16 and clinched the match.

Two more matches will be competed on Tuesday between the world No.1 United States and Dominican Republic, and Italy and South Korea later.