Japan 🇯🇵 vs China 🇨🇳 | Quarter Final Highlights | Men's VNL 2026

Japan vs China | Quarter 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 China, ranked 35th, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, July 29th. They won the match 3-1 in sets (23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23) and advanced to the semifinals.

In the first set, Ran Takahashi scored with a spike, but China's jump floater serve disrupted Japan's serve reception, putting them behind 1-4. Unable to find their rhythm, Japan called a timeout as they trailed 5-9. After that, Japan struggled with China's floater serves, aces, and quick attacks, and were unable to close the gap. However, consecutive blocks by Larry Evadedan made it 16-18, and then a break from Ran Takahashi's serve tied the score at 19-19. After that, Yuji Nishida scored to take the lead, but China's service ace and block put them behind 20-22, and Japan lost the first set 23-25.

In the second set, China also controlled the pace in the early stages. While Japan struggled with side-outs, China managed to break serve and score points. Trailing by three points, Japan brought in Shoma Tomita. Eva Dedan scored from a receive by Tomita, making it 15-15, and Japan gradually began to gain momentum. After a long rally, Ran Takahashi scored to give Japan a 21-19 lead in the final stages, and Nishida scored the final point to tie the set score at 1-1 with a 25-23 victory.

In the third set, the first point came with a block by Ran Takahashi. Keigo Nishimoto, who was brought into the game for this set, served, and Japan successfully broke serve twice in a row to take a 6-2 lead. Service aces from Nishida and Ran Takahashi further extended Japan's lead. With stable serve reception, Japan was the first to reach 20 points, and Nishimoto attacked with a quick attack. Finally, a block by Evadedan secured the set, and Japan won it 25-16.

In the fourth set, the first point came from a block by Nishimoto. A service ace by Takahashi Ran made it 4-1, prompting China to call a timeout. Japan maintained their momentum into the middle of the set, winning a long rally to take a 17-14 lead. However, China scored points with blocks and other plays to tie the score, and then a service ace put them back in the lead. Nevertheless, Takahashi Ran's back attack put Japan back in the lead again, and they tied the score at 23-23 towards the end of the set. Finally, a service ace by Tomita secured the 25-23 victory, giving Japan a come-from-behind win and a place in the semi-finals.

Our next match will be the semi-final against the winner of the Italy vs. USA game, on Saturday, August 1st at 8:30 PM Japan time. We would appreciate your continued support as we compete for a medal.

Nishida Yuji:
"Of course it wasn't perfect, and we've been winning in the qualifying rounds even in situations like this, so I think that showed. There are ways we'd like the game to unfold, but winning was extremely important, so I'm glad that came through in the result. Rather than trying to regroup (from the second set onwards), our opponent was good, so rather than focusing on what we could do, we just needed to keep fighting hard. It was a big help that we were able to focus on the things we were good at and do that well. (You seemed more motivated from the second set onwards) Of course, I didn't want to lose, so that's natural, but I was hoping to make some small plays, and it would have been great if I could have done that one by one, but I can't do everything by myself, and I think I am who I am because of the team, so I want to fight hard as a team in the remaining two matches. (Looking ahead to the semifinals) I want to do only what I can do and make sure I'm in good condition."

Like, Share,
🔔 Don't Forget to

All Credits by FIVB:

Volleyball TV: go.volleyball.world/TV

Watch ALL the Volleyball Action go.volleyball.world/TV

.volleyball.world/ ...

News, Schedules, Results & more: go.volleyball.world/VNL

FOLLOW VOLLEYBALL WORLD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: go.volleyball.world/Instagram...

Facebook: go.volleyball.world/Facebook?...

Twitter: go.volleyball.world/Twitter...

More info: go.volleyball.world/home