BRAZIL 🇧🇷 vs JAPAN 🇯🇵 | HIGHLIGHTS | Women's VNL 2025

BRAZIL vs JAPAN | HIGHLIGHTS | Women's VNL 2025. Japan loses final match in Chiba to Brazil, finishing qualifying with 9 wins and 3 losses in Women's Nations League.

The Japan women's volleyball team, ranked third in the FIVB world rankings (before the start of the match), faced off against Brazil, ranked second, and lost 0-3 (17-25, 18-25, 20-25), finishing the preliminary round with 9 wins and 3 losses (27 points).

The first set started with a serve from Seki Nanami. Brazil took the lead in the early stages, but Japan also attacked with broad attacks from Shimamura Haruyo. Brazil won the long rallies, and when the ace of the opposing team hit a spike to make it 6-10, Japan called a timeout. Japan fought back with a center quick from Miyabe Airi and a back attack from Ishikawa Mayu, but when the lead widened to 10-18, Japan called a second timeout. At 11-19, Japan brought in two substitutes, Nakagawa Tsukasa and Kitamado Ayane, hoping to change the flow of the game. Brazil showed tenacity by attacking with good reception from Iwasawa Miku and serves from Fukasawa Megumi, but lost the first set 17-25.

In the second set, Wada Yukiko's spike gave Japan the opening point. Shimamura and other players continued to score, but Brazil also used their high attacks, and the early stages were a back-and-forth battle of points. Blocked by Brazil's high blocks, Japan took a timeout at 7-10. In an attempt to change the flow, Kitamado was brought in to replace Sato Yoshino, and Kitamado's spike made it 10-13. Japan showed tenacity from the middle to the end of the game, but was unable to close the gap, and Brazil was the first to reach the 20-point mark at 16-20. Nakagawa and Akimoto Misora were sent onto the court as substitutes, but Brazil lost the set 18-25.

In the third set, Kitamado, Yamada Nichika, and Akimoto started the game. Japan scored points with Ishikawa's spikes and Seki's two attacks, but Brazil also attacked with powerful serves. Japan called a timeout when Brazil extended their lead to 10-15. Shimamura's block and Ishikawa's service ace gave Japan consecutive points, turning the tide, and Kitamado's spike brought them within one point at 14-15. Ishikawa's nice receive led to an attack for Japan, but Brazil was ahead at 16-20 as the game drew to a close. Yamada's quick and Ishikawa's spikes helped Japan close the gap, but they lost the set 20-25 and were defeated 0-3.