Brazil gets first win at 2011 FIVB Grand Prix by defeating Japan - Volleyball
Women’s National Volleyball Team of Brazil hit the mark on opening day of the 2011 FIVB Grand Prix by defeating Japan in straight sets. Brazil claimed the match by posting 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, and 25-21) on board. The Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan, South
Korea hosted the wonderful performance on Friday, August 5. It was the first match in Pool C, which is comprised of teams from Brazil, Japan, Korea, and Germany.
Sheilla Castro of Brazil was named the top-scorer of the match. She added 14 points and made it possible for Brazil to win. On the other hand, Japan’s Saori Kimura registered 10 and she was the only player on her side to go for double digits.
Match details
Opening phase of the match was quite full of rusty shots from both sides. Gradually, the players settled down in their positions and displayed a better play. Brazil Castro and Paula formed good combination and worked out great shots. They raised their team’s
score and dragged Japanese side under pressure. Ai Yamamoto of Japan offered some resistance to Brazilian attack and Erika Araki also joined hands with her. However, Brazilians refused to stop and continued at same pace. Eventually, Japan had to accept the
better status of Brazil in first set. Brazil closed first set with 6 point lead at 25-18.
Team Japan reacted in second set and tried to come out of blues. They put up a spirited effort and incorporated a number of ways to hinder the performance of opponents. Anyhow, Japanese side failed to stop the swift spikes from Fabiana Claudino and Marianne
Steinbrecher. The volleyball frequently landed on the Japanese side and caused damage. Brazil successfully extended its lead to 2-0 by winning the second set.
Third set also came successful for Brazil as Japanese players couldn’t sustain the pressure. They tumbled to defeat after losing third straight set in the game. Brazil announced match victory and made a great opening in the tournament.
Post-match
Jose Roberto Lages Guimaraes, the witty mentor of Brazilian team was much delighted to beat the tougher rival Japan. He stated his thoughts after the match: "Today we overcame one of the tough teams at the 2011 World Grand Prix. Our blocking and service
was not good at the beginning but our players regained their own pace. This is the first match of the season and we still have weak points to make up." Brazilian Captain Fabiana Claudino was equally excited after posting the first win over Japan.
Brazil really put up an impressive performance, that’s what Japanese Coach Manabe Masayoshi also acknowledged in his post-match comments. He said Brazil took away the game from Japan with better service and blocking. Meanwhile, he urged his players to overcome
the flaws, in order to avoid embarrassment in the upcoming matches.
Japanese Team captain Erika Araki said, "Today we lost our pace in the match and we could not play our own style. I express regret for today's match"
In the next challenge, Brazil will meet Germany on Saturday, August 6. Similarly Japan will take on host team Korea.
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