Japan improves to 4-1 by defeating Cuba – Volleyball news
With the stupendous support of 9,500 local fans, home team of Japan edged out Cuba on day-5 of the 2012 FIVB Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament.
The hosts sent 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-16, 23-25, 17-15) on board to overcome the resilient rivals. The Tokyo Metropolitan Gym hosted the match.
It was an incredible show of volleyball as scoring was tight from start to end. Both teams showcased their skills, while spectators had a great time watching them. Success improved the winning record of Japan to 4-1. On the other hand, the loss of another
match moved Caribbean to 1-4 in the competition.
Cubans performed really well and gave tough time to hosts but too many unforced errors led them to defeat. They committed 40 errors in the match, while Japan staged a consistent performance and made only 11 errors.
Yoana Palacios of Cuba emerged as the top-scorer of the match with 22 points. Japan was supported by Saori Sakoda, who contributed 20 points.
Opening stanza of the match was a point-to-point battle. Caribbean ladies showed their hitting power and added unstoppable shots. They added quick point and put Cuba in lead. Japan trailed behind with five points at the FTT (3-8). The action resumed after
the technical timeout but situation remained unchanged. Cuba kept the lead in hand and moved to 16-11 at the next break. Home team struggled to catch up with the rivals and finally managed to do so at 23-22. Cubans resisted in full force but could not stop
ambitious Japanese. Japan closed first set 25-23 and improved to 1-0.
In the second set, Cuba came up with more aggressive attacks. They picked up an early lead and maintained their power up till the end of second set. Japan suffered the loss of second set at 18-25.
The see-saw battle continued and Japan once again went up with third set win. The hosts proved their endeavours and posted 25-16 to claim success in third set. Cuba tied the game score in fourth set but Japan put an end the tussle by winning golden set of
the match.
“It was a good game. We had many chances. We could have won 3-0 or 3-1 if we had taken the first set. We have a young team and a lack of concentration caused us to lose the last eight points of the first set and as a result the match. We are sorry we can't
go to the Olympics, but four years from now we will be there,” said Cuban Coach Juan Carlos Gala after the match.
Japanese player Saori Sakoda stated, “I was very happy to win. We want to do the same thing again tomorrow. Wearing the Japanese uniform means always having to be prepared. My job is to change the flow and mood of the game when I come in. I was able to do
it tonight.”
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