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

Japan vs USA | Semi Final 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 the USA, ranked 5th, in the semi-finals on August 1st (Saturday), and lost in a full set with a set score of 2-3 (19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 13-15).

In the first set, Japan started with consecutive points from a spike by Ran Takahashi and a block by Yuji Nishida. Japan steadily gained side-outs with stable serve reception. A floater serve by Hideomi Fukatsu disrupted the American reception, resulting in a break and a 10-7 lead. However, consecutive blocks allowed the American team to take the lead at 14-15. The American blocks remained sharp throughout the set, and Japan lost it 19-25.

In the second set, Japan started strong with some good plays and gained momentum. When Nishida scored after Ishikawa Yuki covered the ball, Ishikawa scored with a mix of powerful and soft shots, taking a 7-4 lead. A serve from Fukatsu created a break opportunity, and Ishikawa's back attack was successful, making it 12-9 and forcing the USA to call a timeout. Evadedan Larry's quick attacks and the ball to the in-form Ishikawa added to the score. Japan continued to score, winning heated rallies and leading 21-18 as the set neared its end. Ishikawa's block-out gave Japan set point, and finally, Evadedan's quick attack secured the set 25-23. Japan won the second set.

In the third set, Japan took a 5-1 lead with blocks and other plays, prompting the USA to call a timeout. However, they then allowed consecutive breaks, tying the score at 5-5, but Nishida's service ace put Japan ahead 10-7. With blocks from Ishikawa and points from Nishida, who was in good form in this set, Japan maintained their lead as the set neared its end, and in the final moments, the USA's serve went out, giving Japan a 25-20 victory in the third set.

In the fourth set, Yamauchi Akihiro's blocks helped the team take a 3-1 lead. However, the US scored consecutive service aces, putting them behind 5-7. The gap gradually widened, and the score became 11-16. Nishida's service ace narrowed the gap to two points, and the team tried to change the momentum with substitutions, but the gap widened again towards the end of the set, and they lost 19-25.

In the opening of the fateful final set, both teams exchanged side-outs, making the score 3-3. However, they conceded a break, falling behind 3-5, and then their serve reception faltered, putting them down 3-6. Through tenacious defense, they managed to create a rally, and a touch by Yamauchi led to a point by Takahashi Ran, making it 7-8. A block by Tomita tied the score at 10-10. Then, after a fierce rally, Miyaura Kento scored, giving them a 12-11 lead. However, a service ace on the line from the US made it 13-12, and they conceded consecutive breaks, losing the set 13-15, ultimately losing in a full five sets.

The next match will be against Slovenia (ranked 6th) in the third-place playoff, starting at 16:40 Japan time on Sunday, August 2nd. Please continue to support the Japanese men's national team as they face their final match of the tournament.

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