JAPAN 🇯🇵 vs NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 | HIGHLIGHTS | Men's VNL 2025
JAPAN vs NETHERLANDS | HIGHLIGHTS | Men's VNL 2025. Japan beat the Netherlands in straight sets to finish China tournament with 3 wins and 1 loss in the Men's Nations League!
The first week of the preliminary round of the Volleyball Nations League 2025 (VNL) China tournament is being held in Xi'an from Wednesday, June 11th.
The Japan men's volleyball national team, ranked 6th in the FIVB world rankings (before the start of the match), faced the Netherlands, ranked 14th, on Sunday, June 15th (Japan time), and won with a set score of 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-18).
The first set started with a back attack from Miyaura Kento. However, Japan allowed the Netherlands to score three consecutive points, and called for an early timeout. After regaining their rhythm during the timeout, Japan made a comeback with consecutive breaks when Otsuka Tatsunobu was serving. With effective serves and defense, Japan created chances to take a 10-7 lead, but then the Netherlands called a timeout. However, their overall defense improved from the serve, and they continued to score points on break points. Then, with a serve point from Sato Shunichiro, who was starting for the first time in this tournament, Japan made it 17-12, and the Netherlands called a timeout. Although there were few blocks, Japan took the lead with their serves, winning the first set 25-18.
In the second set, the Netherlands switched setters and opposites. The Netherlands tried to shake up Japan's floor defense, but Oya Maki led the team to a break point. Furthermore, Miyaura, who was in top form, led the team with 8 spike points without any mistakes at 11-8. When the Netherlands closed the gap with a block point, Nishimoto Keigo was brought in to replace Evadedan Lally. Immediately after that, Nishimoto fired up the team with a skillful attack, extending the lead to 2 points at 19-17. At this point, Yamazaki Akito was brought in to replace Otsuka. Oya's toss work was also sharp, and he took a side out with only one opponent block. The Netherlands caught up to the score at 22-22, but Miyaura's spike and Tomita Masama's block brought the set point at 24-22, and finally Miyaura's back attack was successful to take the second set 25-23.
The third set started with a successful block by the Netherlands, making it 2-0. After that, the match progressed with both teams trading points. Even when the serve reception was broken, Miyaura saved the team with a skillful spike, and Nishimoto's jump floater serve broke the opponent's serve reception, giving Japan a chance to take the lead at 12-9. At this point, the Netherlands, wanting to change their rhythm, called a timeout. When the Netherlands' block point tied the score at 12-12, Takahashi Yoshiho replaced Oya and Japan tried to change their rhythm. With a one-point lead, Miyaura's service ace made it 17-15, and Miyaura's momentum continued with two consecutive serves. Nishimoto's block made it 19-15. Sato's block made it 23-17, and finally Takahashi Yoshiho spiked from the right, winning 25-18 and winning in straight sets with a 3-0 set count.