JAPAN vs CHINA | HIGHLIGHTS | Women's VNL 2025. Wu powers China to great win over Japan, but sustains injury on victory point. The 22-year-old outside scores 24 towards her team’s success!
Inspired by the fantastic home fans on the stands, China delivered a solid four-set victory over Japan in an Asian classic derby to close Saturday’s women’s Volleyball Nations League competition day in Hong Kong and rise to fifth place in the current VNL standings on a 5-2 win-loss record and 15 points, just below fourth-placed Japan, separated on set ratios.
China were well in control of the first two sets and stormed to a convincing lead. With some changes in the line-up, Japan attempted a comeback by dominating set three and staying competitive through 21-21 in set four, but the home team stayed more concentrated in the money time of the set and celebrated a 3-1 (25-15, 25-12, 18-25, 25-22) victory, with 22-year-old outside hitter Wu Mengjie swinging for the match winner.
Unfortunately, upon landing after that kill, Wu dropped on the floor injured, but she was all smiles, when she was carried off from the court, obviously still happy about the victory and about her own performance, which brought in a match-high 24 points, including an impressive five of China’s 14 kill blocks in the match. Another three were authored by opposite and captain Gong Xiangyu, who also fired one of the team’s five serving aces to finish on a total of 16 points. The other 22-year-old outside Zhuang Yushan and middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
23-year-old outside Yoshino Sato was Japan’s most prolific scorer with 17 points, followed by captain Mayu Ishikawa with 11 and another outside, 20-year-old Ayane Kitamado, with 10.
“I am really happy about this match, even though we lost. The team is growing and growing and I think we deserved at least a point here. It was so close,” Japan’s Turkish head coach Ferhat Akbas said. “We made really aggressive changes in the line-up and it worked very well, so I am really happy with the entire team. Now we need to forget this and start looking forward to tomorrow, when we need to be better. It’s an important match, because we would like to go to the Finals and we want to go back home with a victory, so we will try our best.”
China receiving its Match 2 Day 4, Week 2 of the Women's Volleyball Nations League here in Japan.
Bit of confusion, so it's free ball then for China.
The set for Sato is a little bit more aggressive than we have in Japan, so Akimoto's not in the way.
Block is in the way of her.
The same information applies to Akimoto.
Don't swing into the part of the court where you bring the biggest blocker into play, when you have the smallest blocker on the line.
And do some of the tricky stuff. Can't play really fast.
It's another one that Seki can't play, but this time, more than any other time, Chen Hongyu is playing.
Wang Yuanyuan with the serve.
The block is waiting. It is not allowing Japan an inch.
To stay in the set.
There's going to be a swing chance here.
Not put away by Xuanyu Chen.
But it's blocked! Gong Xuanyu!
And they weren't stretching. There's like one side step up and across.
And they just took away the angle so well.
Shunning down Ishikawa, Wada and Sato.
The three main attackers in Japan all got blocked in that set.
The design of the Japanese offense is big to try and get Wada space.
But Wada hasn't been able to convert.
And the pressure falls to the other side of the court.
For Sato and Ishikawa.
Points down with a block this match.
And it's again another block from China.
The block will stretch in order to try and stop her again.
Gong Xuanyu.
And now Wada. She's out of the play.
But Ishikawa isn't making up as a back row player in the team.
But China just keep on keeping on here.
They lead by five.
Six point lead.
Nevertheless, flirting with the net.
Women's side too big.
Again China going after Ishikawa.
Trying to take her out of the attack.
But they can't stop Wada.
China leading by 11.
Ni Yifei fan.
And another super angle.
It's scary that they have quality to add like those two players.
Power tip. That'll do nicely.
Oh, that's lovely.
Just finding that empty part of the court.
Nice serve.
That's a decent ball out wide for a fabulous swing.
From Wu Mengxie.
To stay in the set.
That's not going to happen.
And China take this one.
25-12.
After taking set one.
25-15.
They lead by two sets to nothing.
But mind you.
Look at this.
15 and then 12.
That's going to take some comeback, isn't it really?
We'll have to see what Doug Bridges can do.
He's going to have a chat with the coaches in a little bit.
Yes.
He's down there ready and waiting.
But I'd imagine that
Furhavash is probably going to be spending quite a bit of time
talking to his team at the moment.
Trying to figure out.
China leading by two sets to nothing.
That's a decent start.
I like the speed at which
that ball is being attacked.
Instead of being able to follow a plan.
Free ball.
And a dang ball I suppose.
Doesn't change anything.
This time gets it right.
What a pick-up that is.
But the block is very, very good.
Another chance.
Well taken.
So maybe a little bit of a comeback on here.
An opportunity for China.
We'd expect them to do it.
Rong Bonxia with the serve.
It was a hush.
But not for very long.
China take another point.
Good touch.
Oh yes.
So clever.
Bonxia.
Well played.
Double free swing out of four.
Kitsumata puts it on the floor.
And Japan take the set.
25-18.
And the shoe might be on the other foot.
Away we go.
Set number four.
Oh that's a nice save.
Well played.
Wong Yun-Wan.
Well played Sato.
It's in.
It's off the block and away.
Japan have the opening point.
Good touch.
That's close.
What? Are you kidding me?
Crazy good set.
What in the name of Finko was that?
There's no net.
Actually that net was already
bobbling up and down like a yo-yo.
Such an amazing set.
Oh.
Absolute monster.
It's not coming back.
Is it coming back?
No it's not.
What a shame.
Yoshino in with the fans.
Absolute lobbering.
He's gone high same.
Luckily this.
Nice touch from Gong Sheng Yu.
And a quality touch
from Wu Bonxia.
22 years of age.
And
with the
champions of China this season
you can see why.
Nice pass.
And quality yet again.
Oh it's another great dig.
Wong Yun-Wan.
And somehow
it's hit the floor.
And somehow
it's stacked in China's favour here.
Can they get the job done?
Yes they can.
But there's a slightly worried look
on the face of...
