Japan 🇯🇵 vs Canada 🇨🇦 | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026
Japan vs Canada | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026. The Japanese men's volleyball team, ranked 4th in the FIVB world rankings (as of the start of the match), faced Canada, ranked 15th, on Thursday, July 16th, and won in a full set, 3-2 (18-25, 24-26, 29-27, 25-19, 15-11), bringing their overall record to 10 wins and 0 losses.
The first set began with Canada scoring two consecutive points. Canada continued to use quick attacks and back attacks aggressively, taking a 6-10 lead. Japan made mistakes in their combinations, falling behind 7-12, and called a timeout. However, many of Japan's spikes went out of bounds, allowing Canada to break serve. Although Ran Takahashi scored a service ace from 14-20, Japan was unable to close the gap and lost the first set 18-25.
In the second set, Japan continued to be thwarted by Canada's blocks, and the gap gradually widened. Larry Evadedan made a block to make it 12-15, but Japan couldn't find their rhythm and continued to fail to score points during breaks. Nevertheless, substitute Shoma Tomita made spike after spike, and Taishi Onodera's service ace made it 20-23. Then Kento Miyaura's service ace made it 23-24. Miyaura's serve disrupted Canada's defense, and Evadedan scored to tie the score. However, Canada allowed consecutive blocks and won the set 24-26.
In the third set, the team fielded the same players who were there at the end of the second set, including Tatsunori Otsuka and Tomita. Miyaura's serve disrupted Canada's defense, and Onodera made a block to make it 4-3. Unable to increase their kill percentage against Canada's tenacious play, they managed to break serve off relief server Yuki Ishikawa. However, Canada's consecutive blocks put them down 19-21, but Tomita's serve gave them a 23-22 lead, after which it went to deuce. Then, Onodera's block secured the set 29-27, and they won the third set.
In the fourth set, Japan continued their momentum from the third set, scoring four consecutive points. As Canada began to make mistakes, Japan was able to score not only with powerful shots but also with soft shots, extending their lead to 11-5. Evadedan scored a service ace, and after a long rally, Japan scored with a block to make it 19-14. Towards the end of the set, Miyaura's serve led to consecutive breaks, and Tomita sealed the victory, winning the fourth set 25-19.
In the fifth set, Japan took a break with a spike from Miyaura, and then took a 4-2 lead with a spike from Tomita that landed right on the line. After that, both teams exchanged side-outs, making it 8-7. Japan was the first to reach 10 points, and Tomita's serve disrupted Canada's defense, allowing Otsuka to score directly for 13-10. Otsuka then scored again, even while off-balance, to secure match point. Finally, a service error by Canada made it 15-10. Japan won the set 3-2, extending their winning streak to 10 games.
The Japanese men's national team will play their next match against Belgium (ranked 19th) on Friday, July 17th at 19:20. TBS will be broadcasting the match live on terrestrial television, so please continue to cheer on the Japanese men's national team whether you are at the venue or watching on screen.