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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Turkey shocks world No. 5 Japan; Portugal prevails in FIVB Worlds

Turkey shocks world No. 5 Japan; Portugal prevails in FIVB Worlds

Published Sep 13, 2025 04:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Turkey opened its campaign at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in style by blasting crowd favorite Japan, 25-19, 25-23, 25-19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Turkey's Mirza Lagumdzija scores against two Japanese defenders in their 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship match on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Volleyball World)
Turkey's Mirza Lagumdzija scores against two Japanese defenders in their 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship match on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Volleyball World)
Turkey opened its campaign at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in style by shocking crowd favorite and world No. 5 Japan, 25-19, 25-23, 25-19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The Turkish, who are in their fifth appearance in the tournament and are ranked 11 rungs lower at No. 16, displayed their tenacity behind the net with their solid defense while taking advantage of the Japanese’s weak reception to clinch their first win in Pool G.
The victory was a fitting gift to their coach Slobodan Kovac, who was celebrating his birthday.
“We played really well, technically. We played with great discipline, and I think that’s how you play in this kind of tournament,” said Kovac, who only took over the team’s coaching reins a few months ago.
Ramazan Mandiraci fueled Turkey’s all-around assault by pumping in 17 points built on 10 kills, five aces and two blocks, while Adis Lagumdzija also shone with 15 points including 11 attacks.
Japan started flat by falling into a maze of errors, including eight in the opening set. They struggled with their reception as Madiraci and Lagumdzija attacked them at all angles.
Japanese skipper Yuki Ishikawa admitted they needed a better mindset for their next game.
“We have to play smarter and keep our focus on our next game,” he said.
Star player Ran Takahashi echoed the sentiment.
“We need to switch our (mindset) for the next game. Today, we played not so good, but not so bad. We need more confidence and we need to keep pushing,” said the 24-year-old opposite hitter, who could only score four points in the match.
Kento Miyaura posted 13 points in a losing effort for Japan, while Ishikawa poured all his 10 points on attacks.
Over at the Mall of Asia Arena, Portugal overcame a slow start and downed Cuba, 20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, to join the United States in the win column in Pool D.
Nuno Marques stepped up with 19 points including 15 attacks, even as Filip Cveticanin and Jose Pinto added 14 points apiece for the Portuguese.
Marlon Yant and Jose Alvarez had 19 and 12 points in a losing cause for Cuba.
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