Japan recovers from shock of defeat at the 2011 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship
Team Japan suffered a setback from hosts of 2011 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship Vietnam on the second day of the tournament.
Vietnam took full advantage of the familiar conditions and posted a shocking straight set defeat over Japan on Monday, June 20. However, Japanese team recovered from the shock of defeat in the next match against Philippines on Tuesday. Japan exhibited a
flawless performance and pulled off success by sending 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, and 25-13) on board.
Japan is grouped with teams from Iran, Philippine and Vietnam in the Pool A of 2011 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, which is scheduled run from June 19-25. Japan has a tough competition with Vietnam in Pool A. The Iranian team is somewhat tricky
but Japan has defeated them in the opening match of the tournament. Coming to the fourth pool member, Philippine is strongly tagged as the underdog team in the competition.
Japanese faced no difficulty in subduing Philippine in the last match on Tuesday. It was the first meeting these two teams on the podium of 2011 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship. Overall, both teams were helping with their third match of the first
round.
The opening of the match was kind of slow. Players spent some time to settle down in their positions. Japanese side started the strike and put away powerful serves. Philippine had a weak defence, which made it easy for Japan to score quick points. The ball
landed on Philippine’s side more often.
As a result the scoreboard showed a strong lead of Japan, while opposite team was dragged under pressure. Team Japan played with clam and easy action but remained remarkably consistent in raising their score. The good passing and solid defence restricted
the opponents to a low score. Philippine did score some points but progressed at a snail’s pace. The opening set of the game inched its way to the end, while Japan led the score. Eventually, they sealed off first-set victory by posting 25-16.
Philippine’s players tried to improve on their flaws in the following set. They came up with a different approach and showed their attacking power. Japan was aware of the hostile response of Philippine after dropping the opening set. Japanese side formed
better combinations and maintained their dominance. There were actually moments in the second set, when Philippine came really close to Japanese score but it was just momentary. Japan rallied past Philippine in second set by polling 25-18.
Following the success in two sets in a row, the rhythm and tone was set for Japan to put an end to the game in third set. On the other hand, it was ‘do or die’ situation for Philippine’s team. Japan opened the third set with hard pushes and didn’t allow
opponents to stay on their feet. Japanese played fast and swiftly picked up lead.
Afterwards, they clipped consecutive points and diminished the chances of Philippines’ survival in the match. The final whistle of referee at 25-13 announced Japan as the match winner. Philippine received third consecutive defeat in the tournament. In the
last two matches, they were hard-spiked by teams from Vietnam and Iran.
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