Japan 🇯🇵 vs. USA 🇺🇸 - Semi Final | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026

It is a memento of the match, effective in their quarterfinal match against Italy. It's the USA in white serving, it's Japan in all red receiving. It is the semi-final of the Men's Volleyball Nations League here in Ningbo, China. And a superb side-out for Katsunosuke. Going after the frontcourt swing in Champlin. And that is a block point, break point for Japan for a 2-0 lead. This is a situation where America pride themselves on being effective, being accurate and being aggressive. Being able to get that ball really fast before the block can get organised from medium situations. Nishida. Good serve. Oh yes, Anderson. We just saw Nishida hit a cutty and that is just as good if not better from Matt Anderson. Christensen. Oh yes, that's a block. Haynes and McHenry, probably the biggest block the USA can put up at the net. Ball in. A little bit behind though is Shikawa. I don't think he's made it. He has to wait just this little bit and that's what allows McKenna to come and close. Tomita's caused some trouble. Oh, Tomita digging himself out of trouble. Joji, full stretch of Rooney. And we're still going from Nishida. Nishikawa with the serve. Making Avril play what is a very good pass. And oh, Haynes completely getting that one right through Nishida. Not find himself in a real spot of bother. Larry standing. Okara does well this time. But there's a touch. Oh, Anderson. It is Japan who will take the set. 25-23. It's one set all. Turns this time after trying to move Merrick McHenry around. All set. Play straight up and down pass in. Champlin tries to help. So McHenry can't get the timing. He's thinking is it left, is it right? No, it's right on top of him. Oh, almost. And then almost again. But almost just isn't good enough at this level. Great ball in. Very clever from Rand. Micah Christensen. Good serve. Great pass. Great ball chance to get level. Caught some of the block. And straight away Yamaguchi saying, yeah, I touched it. Oh, magnificent. Well played from Christensen. But there's a chance again. Nishikawa, no good. Willie Christensen makes the block. We're all level. When USA called a timeout, it is now 5-5. And Japan want to return the favor. A mighty man. Bring it from the serving line. So there's a good touch. A break point chance. Anderson gets it done from the back row. He caught his ace on Haynes last time he was back in this spot. He's gone the other side. Good ball, Champlin. Oh, what a swing from Ethan Champlin. That is quality. Good ball from Shoji. Oh, goodness me. Didn't get in a position to have the swing. And it costs USA the point. Like we talked about earlier, he's so high. Japan still in the driving seat for the moment. Good ball, Tamita. And Yamaguchi. That is unplayable when it's to the line like that. It is Japan who take the set. 25-20 there. Japan are leading by two sets to one in this semifinal here in Ningbo. That's a bit tight. Oh, yes. Is it over? No. Well played, Micah Christensen. It's an opportunity there for him to call the referee and ask if that one was a carry. But that one was straight down. Perfectly placed. Got a bit of top spin on that. He didn't want Christensen. Good cover from Yamaguchi. Oh, what a set. Good up by Shoji. Has that made it? Yes, it has. Super play from the USA. That looks like a couple of touches by Jeff Jendrick. Jendrick. Putting some pressure on Ishikawa. Christensen sends it high. Oh, nobody wanted it. Jendrick didn't want it. Good up from Ogawa. Look at that. Fukatsu knowing exactly where Ishikawa was. Good up from Jendrick. That's not a bad platform set. What a pick from Takahashi-Ran. And we're still going. Nishida. Well played, Anderson. Haynes. Nishida. Oh, fabulously good rally. Perfect pass. What a touch. That's ridiculous. It's pinballed around, but here come the USA again. Anderson makes sure of it. That's a great serve. Ran has to check. Good touch by Shoji. Robinson making some good adjustments. But did he get the block? Yes, he did. Tsuki can come in. Cooper Robinson has not found anything for the USA. Will they go middle instead? And that's just as good. Jendrick puts it on the floor. And at 25.19, USA take the set. This is it. Set five is underway. Fukatsu serving. Race to 15 for a place in the final of the VNL. And I don't believe what I've just seen. Fukatsu's missed a serve. Ran to serve. Massive serve. What a pass from Anderson. Haynes might be too big. No, he's not. He's got it right on the line. Avril goes after Ishikawa. Tries to take him out of the attack. That doesn't happen. That's ridiculous. Good save, Robinson. And now Japan have a better chance. Well, they don't because Ishikawa's had to go with the lefty. There might be a net touch coming in terms of the challenge. But no, it might be too late to call it as well. There's no touch. There's no net touch. There's no nothing. Because that's the only thing they can look at. And the one that we saw where Christensen did touch the net, it was outside. What a save. What a swing from Haynes. They're still going. It's just ridiculous. Another chance. How is this rally still going? And there's a big waggle of the finger from Taylor Avril. Huge point for Japan. Gomez. And take a lead now. Oh. Anti-climax. And that's a big let-off for the USA as well. Because they're on a tricky rotation. Champlin. A side-out. Wins it for the USA. It's a good ball in. Anderson. Oh! In a spike tail. And he takes the USA to the final. But there's a challenge coming for a football. I don't think so. Absolutely perfect. Vintage. Matt Anderson. Does it for the USA.