Japan downs the Netherlands for 10-0 record in VNL
Published Jul 7, 2023 01:40 pm
Team captain Yuki Ishikawa towed Japan to its 10th win as they denied the Netherlands in four sets, 25-16, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17, in the Week 3 of the men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Friday, July 7, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
*Shoma Tomita unleashed a spike for a kill against of Twan Wiltenburg and Wessel Keemink of The Netherlands. (Ali Vicoy)*
Masahiro Sekita had an impressive playmaking finish as four Japanese breached the double-digit mark. Ishikawa dropped 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks and an ace, while Kento Miyaura and Akihiro Yamauchi added 12 points apiece. Ran Takahashi, for his part, had 10 points. The Japanese, who are gunning for the top seed heading into the finals phase, stayed perfect in 10 matches. It was also Japan’s first non-five-setter win in four games. After breezily winning the opening set, Japan was almost caught off guard when the Netherlands put the match at a 24-all deadlock in the second set. However, the Dutch skipper Nimir Abdel-Azis committed a costly service error before Ishikawa went for an off-the-block hit to give Japan the two sets to none lead. With the Dutch finding enough momentum to work with, the Japanese struggled to pull away in the third set. Tied at 19-all, the Dutch went for a 3-0 run to momentarily hold a comfortable lead. Despite Japan’s fightback to finish the game in three sets, the Netherlands extended the match into a fourth. The Japanese then came back to their senses before it was too late and jumped to the biggest lead of the match at 21-12 en route to their 10th win. “The service and defense were amazing, so we had to play smartly,” said Ishikawa. Wouter Ter Maat’s 21-point outing went for naught as the Dutch continue to hold on for dear life in the eight seed in hopes of advancing to the finals phase. Gijs Jorna contributed 10 points of his own. The Netherlands absorbed a 5-6 slate.
*Shoma Tomita unleashed a spike for a kill against of Twan Wiltenburg and Wessel Keemink of The Netherlands. (Ali Vicoy)*
Masahiro Sekita had an impressive playmaking finish as four Japanese breached the double-digit mark. Ishikawa dropped 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks and an ace, while Kento Miyaura and Akihiro Yamauchi added 12 points apiece. Ran Takahashi, for his part, had 10 points. The Japanese, who are gunning for the top seed heading into the finals phase, stayed perfect in 10 matches. It was also Japan’s first non-five-setter win in four games. After breezily winning the opening set, Japan was almost caught off guard when the Netherlands put the match at a 24-all deadlock in the second set. However, the Dutch skipper Nimir Abdel-Azis committed a costly service error before Ishikawa went for an off-the-block hit to give Japan the two sets to none lead. With the Dutch finding enough momentum to work with, the Japanese struggled to pull away in the third set. Tied at 19-all, the Dutch went for a 3-0 run to momentarily hold a comfortable lead. Despite Japan’s fightback to finish the game in three sets, the Netherlands extended the match into a fourth. The Japanese then came back to their senses before it was too late and jumped to the biggest lead of the match at 21-12 en route to their 10th win. “The service and defense were amazing, so we had to play smartly,” said Ishikawa. Wouter Ter Maat’s 21-point outing went for naught as the Dutch continue to hold on for dear life in the eight seed in hopes of advancing to the finals phase. Gijs Jorna contributed 10 points of his own. The Netherlands absorbed a 5-6 slate.