China edges Brazil in Olympic volleyball women's quarterfinals

Updated: 2016-08-17 11:28

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Hui Ruoqi of China (L) and her teammates arrive for their match of volleyball women's quarterfinals in Rio, Brazil, Aug 17, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

"Except for the first set, it was a spectacular performance by our team that never gave up," said Lang, one of the sport's greatest players of the 20th Century, according to the International Volleyball Federation.

Unnerved by the loud cheering and booing of Brazilian supporters in Rio's packed Maracanazinho stadium, China took the lead in the third set with a succession of unstoppable spikes by their top scorer Zhu Ting.

Brazil fought back in the fourth but China prevailed in the fifth.

The United States crushed Japan in straight sets 25-16 25-23 25-22 to stay undefeated and boost their hopes of a first Olympic gold medal.

The Americans will meet a surprisingly strong Serbian team in the last four on Thursday. Serbia ousted Russia 25-9 25-22 25-21 to become the first Serbian volleyball team to reach an Olympic semi-final.

"We played extremely strong in attack and service, causing the Russian receivers a lot of problems," said Serbian coach Zoran Terzic.

Serbia will have to prepare for a very different game against the United States, who play much faster and more as a team than a Russian side that relies on two main attackers, Terzic told reporters.

Earlier, Netherlands beat South Korea 3-1 and will go on to play China on Thursday before Saturday's final and bronze medal matches.