Cuban head coach Perdomo Estrella Antonio has promised host China his team will not let the reigning Olympic champions have a plain sailing when they renew their rivalry in the Beilun Cup women's volleyball invitational which swings into action Wednesday.

Both China and Cuba, who rallied from 2-0 down in sets to beat the Chinese 3-2 but had still to settle for the runner-up in last week's invitational held in Jiangsu Province, are expected to fight it out for the title of the Beilun tournament which also features the Netherlands and Dominican Republic.

"I am very confident about my players' abilities," Antonio told a press briefing Tuesday. "And I think it is realistic that we achieve another win against China."

Chinese head coach Chen Zhonghe kept a low key ahead of the three-day tournament, saying his fledgling team needs more international exposure to prepare for next year's Olympic Games.

"We have several new players and this tournament is a good opportunity for them to improve teamwork and accumulate experience, " said Chen.

China has retained the bulk of their Olympic gold medal-winning side, though it has included four new faces on the team.

China begins its campaign Wednesday night by taking on the Netherlands, while Cuba faces Dominican Republic.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2007)