OLYMPICS /
On the Scene
Chinese-born coach leads US women's volleyball to finals
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-08-21 17:27
"America played well. Our two main problems were service and service reception. In the preliminaries Cuba was better at service and service reception, but in the second game, America was better," said the Cuban head coach Antonio Perdomo. "If we played tomorrow, I wouldn't be able to predict a winner, because the two teams are equal."
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Heather Bown of the US spikes the ball at Yumilka Ruiz of Cuba during their women's semi-final volleyball match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. [Agencies]
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The two sides both started strongly at the opener before a 11-11 draw, when the US broke the tie with lethal spikes by Tayyiba Haneef-Park to lead 14-11. Danielle Scott-Arruda and Heather Bown helped to enlarge the gap to 24-20. With an unanswered spike of Willoughby, the US took the set 25-20.
The Americans dominated the second set with powerful serves, while Cuba lost their rhythm and their service errors at the crucial points helped the US to take the effortless second set 25-16.
The US sailed on the track to win with a solid lead 21-16 in the decider. Cuba pulled back one point with a spike of Yanelis Stantos, but that was the furthest they could go. Stunning Willoughby scored three points in row for the U.S. to seal the victory 25-17.
After the match, the US will face either defending champions China or world's No. 1 Brazil in the final scheduled on Saturday. Their best record was a silver medal at the Los Angeles in 1984.
While, Cuba, who won gold medal at the Games in 1992, 1996 and 2000, are seeking for a fourth medal in a bronze match also on Saturday.
The US toppled the host in a five-set thriller in the preliminaries and now they showed more confidence for their first-ever Olympic gold.
"Our goal all along the four years is to do what we didn't do in Athens, to get the gold medal, tomorrow a new day of practice and we will come out here to give what we can," said Tayyiba Haneef-Park.
