Japan extended its unblemished record to 10, taking care of the Netherlands in a four-set conquest with scores of 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17, in the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men’s Nations League on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The win protected Ryujin Nippon’s hold on the top spot with two gamedays remaining in the preliminary round.
Akihiro Yamauchi’s aggressiveness in the middle and captain Yuki Ishikawa’s solid outing allowed Japan to turn a precarious 10-8 lead into a 17-10 cushion with five straight points. The tournament leaders ultimately secured the victory as Netherlands’ Plak committed a service error.
Yamauchi showcased his prowess at the net and scored 13 points on 10 spikes and three well-timed blocks, including a two-point swing.
Captain Yuki Ishikawa was relieved that the squad finally won in four sets, saying, “I feel good that we won this game. It’s better to win in four sets than in five sets because we get to take the three points.”
Japan demonstrated its various points of attack early in the first set before intensifying the game with a 17-11 margin, thanks to two booming backrow kills from Kento Miyaura and Ran Takahashi. That proved to be enough as the Asians went on to secure a 25-19 win in the first set.
The European side had other plans as their defense enabled them to overcome a three-point deficit in the second set and force a deuce at 24.
A service error from Nimir Abdel-Aziz gave Japan another set point before Ishikawa sealed the set with a kill, giving Japan a 2-0 advantage.
This effort paid off for the Orange Tulips as they took a 16-14 lead in the middle of the third set. Japan managed to stay in the match, but the 2022 Euro Volley champions secured one set back.
With the entire starting unit back in action in the fourth set, Japan wrapped up their 10th straight win.
Ishikawa led the Japanese team with 14 attacks, two blocks, and one service ace, while Kento Miyaura proved his worth with 13 points.
Japan will aim for another victory when they face Italy in another heated battle on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Wouter Ter Maat carried the Dutch fight on his shoulders, with Nimir having limited playing time, ending with 21 significant points on 18 attacks, two blocks, and one ace. Gijs Jorna was the only other Orange player in double digits with 10 points.
The Netherlands, who slipped to a 5-6 record, will try to keep their hopes alive for the Final Round when they face Slovenia on Sunday at 3 p.m.
