U.S. beats Japan 3-1 and heads to second round: FIVB Men's Junior World Championship
The United States and Japan went up against each other on the 3rd of August at the Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a FIVB Men's Junior World Championship fixture.The U.S. successfully overcame the Japanese by 3-1.
The match between the two teams was important because it would decide the team that would be heading towards the second round of the tournament. The Americans had reason to celebrate after the victory because they new that they had made it into the next
round of the tournament.
The first set of the match saw the Japanese adjusting while the U.S. scored more points to win the opening set but the Japanese prevailed in equalising the match by bagging the second set of the game. Unfortunately for the Japanese, this was the only moment
of glory for them as the Americans won the third and the fourth sets by a comfortable margin. The final set scores stood at the following figures at the end of the match: 25-20, 21-25, 25-18 and 25-19.
The coach of the American squad, John Hawks IV, made the following comments at the press conference after the match had finished: “I am really proud of my team as we managed to react after being in a tough situation when we lost to Brazil last night. We
watched Japan matches, decided to put a big block in front of their number 5 (Dekita) and it worked.”
On the other hand, the Japanese coach, Noriaki Sako, shared his feelings in the following manner: “Congratulations to the American, who did not allow us to play the way we are used to. Their setter (Christianson) played a great match, with an amazing distribution.
My players were tired as we played two five-set matches in the last days.”
The first set started off with an American lead early on at 4-0 that they were able to extend till 9-2. The Japanese side did not give up the chase and closed in the gap at 18-14. However, the American play was strong and they did not let the Japanese take
control as a result of which the set ended on Americans terms at 25-20.
The Japanese learnt their lesson by losing the opening set and improved their game in the second one by taking the lead at 10-8. The Japanese were able to extend their advantage to 15-10 and stayed in control till the end at 25-21.
The third set took on a competitive tone from the start. The score remained close at 17-15 with the Americans in a leading position. Despite the fact that the Japanese tried hard to upset the U.S. team, they lost the set at 18-25. Similarly, the Americans
stayed in control in the fourth set of the game and sealed the deal at 25-19.
The Americans have got themselves six points in Pool A with their recent win and are expecting tough comepetition in round two.
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