After claiming their first win, Chinese women's handball team will take on Kazakhstan in their fourth game at Beijing Olympics on Friday. And a victory can well ensure China to enter the quarterfinals.
After conceding both of the first two games to Norway and Romania respectively, host China, eighth placer at Athens Games finally celebrated their first win, with the women's squad trouncing African champions Angola 32-24 on Wednesday.
In order to fulfil the expectation of top eight finish in Beijing Games, the Chinese women's squad have to grab another win. With only two group matches to go and European powerhouse France too strong to beat, China set their eyes on their Asian neighbor.
"Kazakhstan is a very good team. Their players are strong and powerful. But we have to beat them, and we have no other choice,"said Chinese coach Kang Jae Won.
"This is our first victory in our group play, and it will boost our morale and confidence. We will prepare well for the next game,"said Wang Shasha after her six goals helped China to beat Angola.
In recent encounters, Kazakhstan lost to China in 2006 Asian Championship and took revenge in Doha Asian Games, after muscling out China in the semifinals.
As silver medalist in Doha Asian Games, Kazakhstan has been struggling to find their form in Beijing, losing three games in a row. However, right Wing Olga Ajiderskaya will posed great threat to China. The 1.92-meter-tall shooter netted in 19 points in three games, ranking the third in the scorers' list. Enditem
(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)