Japan 🇯🇵 vs Australia 🇦🇺 | Highlights | AVC Men's Continental Championship 2026

Japan vs Australia | Highlights | AVC Men's Continental Championship 2026. The Japanese men's volleyball team, ranked 6th in the FIVB world rankings (as of the start of the match), faced Australia, ranked 40th, on Tuesday, September 8th, and won in straight sets, 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-21), securing first place in Group A.

The first set began with a block from Australia. However, Japan broke serve again with Yuki Ishikawa's serve, taking a 5-2 lead. Australia scored a side out with a quick attack, but Ran Takahashi hit two consecutive service aces, forcing Australia to call a timeout. Having taken an early lead, Japan's serves and total defense worked well, creating break opportunities, and Taishi Onodera made a block to make it 17-13. Then Yuji Nishida also hit a service ace, and Japan won the first set 25-20.

In the second set, Japan got off to a good start, scoring points with blocks from Onodera and feints from Nishida. Although they made some mistakes and seemed to lose their rhythm, they were helped by their opponent's errors to take a 9-5 lead. Then, Takahashi Ran scored with a spike while turning and also made a block, and Japan seized the momentum. They succeeded in consecutive breaks starting with Takahashi Ran's serve, and with a quick attack from Onodera and a block from Eva Dedan Larry, they took a large lead of 21-9. Finally, Onodera scored with a quick attack to win the set 25-13.

In the third set, Tatsunori Otsuka was put into the starting lineup. Otsuka made some spikes and back attacks, but Australia steadily accumulated points, and Japan entered the middle of the set with a two-point lead. After that, Australia tied the score and then blocked, putting Japan down 16-17. However, Ran Takahashi's service ace put Japan back in the lead at 18-17. Another serve by Ran Takahashi made it 20-17, and a good dig by Tomohiro Yamamoto led to a break, and Japan showed great concentration in the final stages, winning the set 25-21, and taking the victory with a set score of 3-0.

The schedule and opponents for the men's Japanese national team's quarter-final matches will be announced on the website as soon as they are decided.

Tomohiro Yamamoto:
"Today we started relatively well, and although we were at a disadvantage in the third set, we all stayed focused and managed to win the set, so that was good. (Regarding my own play) I was glad that I was able to show one of my strengths, but looking back on the match, there were still issues to be addressed not only individually but also as a team, so I want to make sure we correct those and work hard towards the next match, which is a battle we cannot afford to lose. (Looking back on the qualifying round) I think the team's performance is improving with each match, and I think the level of our opponents will get higher from now on, so I want to make sure we correct the finer details and definitely win. (Looking ahead to the final tournament) I want to make sure we are well-prepared, and since winning here has been our goal this year, I want to work hard towards that."

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