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Published on July 27, 2007

Brazil stormed past the United States while China defeated Japan in the semi-finals yesterday. China, the Asian winners and the 1995 world champions, had little problems disposing of Japan 25-21 25-15 25-15, while Brazil, the five-time world champions, trounced the US 25-14 25-19 25-15.

China, who finished third in Turkey two years ago, go up against Brazil, who are the only team unbeaten in the championship. In 2003, Brazil came from behind to beat China in the final clash.

The Thailand-Ukraine encounter earlier saw the hosts, though cheered on by screaming and drum-beating spectators, succumb 25-14 25-23 25-16. Hard-hitting Nataliya Goncharova admirably handled Ukraine's offence.

Thai head coach Banjong Sombat was livid about his team's below-par performance. "They made too many mistakes in receiving. They put pressure on themselves and lacked the will to win. Height was not a factor in our defeat. We did not receive the first ball well. I had the conviction and the belief that we could win the match. Unfortunately we couldn't, which is a pity."

Italy yesterday proved too strong for Germany, thrashing their European rivals 25-14 25-21 25-21. In the 9th-12th classification matches, Puerto Rico powered past Dominican Republic 25-15 25-18 25-18.

Preechachan

Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima