China's Xue Chen (R)/Zhang Xi stand during the awarding ceremony of the women's final match of beach volleyball at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 11, 2006. Xue Chen/Zhang Xi won the gold of the event. (Xinhua Photo/Chen Xiaowe)

Chinese second seeds Xue Chen and Zhang Xi came one set back to beat Japanese Tanaka Shinako and Koizumi Eiko in the women's beach volleyball final at the Asian Games here on Monday.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, Chinese top seeds Wang jie and Tian Jia scored a straight-set victory over Thai Kulna Kamoltip and Sannok Jarunee to win the bronze medal.

Xue and Zhang lost to their Japanese rivals 20-22, 21-15, 17-19in preliminary Round 3, but they successfully revenged the loss with a 19-21, 21-11, 15-13 victory.

China's Xue Chen/Zhang Xi (L) celebrate after winning the women's final match of beach volleyball against Japan's Eiko Koizumi/Shinako Tanaka at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 11, 2006. Xue Chen/Zhang Xi won the gold of the event. (Xinhua Photo/Chen Xiaowei)

The first set of the final was a thriller with both sides tested to their limits. Xue and Zhang, followed by their Japanese rivals closely, took the lead from 4-3 all the way to 13-12, when the Japanese caught up and took the lead. The score was finally settled at 21-19 to the Japanese favor.

The younger Chinese duo, the second seed of the tournament, fought back strongly in the following set and showed their real potential to beat the Japanese third seed 21-11.

The decider is as close as the opener, but 17-year-old Xue and 21-year-old Zhang did not let the success slip away this time to seal the set 15-13 with a stunning spike of Xue to end the tussle.

Earlier, Chinese Zhou Shu and Li Jian beat their teammates Wu Penggen and Xu Linyin 2-1 to win the gold of men's beach volleyball.

China's Zhang Xi saves the ball during the women's final match of beach volleyball against Japan's Eiko Koizumi/Shinako Tanaka at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 11, 2006. Xue Chen/Zhang Xi won the gold of the event. (Xinhua Photo/Chen Xiaowei)

The bronze went to Indonesian Aim Agus and Supriadi Supriadi, who beat another Indonesian duo Ardiyansah Andy and Darkuncoro Koko Prasetyo 21-23, 21-18, 15-13.

Thirty-seven teams from 19 countries and regions were involved in the Asiad beach volleyball tournament which started on Dec. 2.

Editor: Donald