Jiangmen, China, July 1, 2024 – Formidable Japan got their title defence off to a brilliant start with lopsided 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-11) win against India in their opening Pool B encounter of the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium here on Monday.
Japan, which stunned China in straight sets in the showdown to successfully retain their title at the previous edition two years ago in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, started aggressively to lead 4-0, but India bounced back, with outside hitter Kavita unleashing sharp attacks to help the team win three points on the trot.
At 5-5, Japan cruised on offensively, while India tried to improve on their reception and retrieves. Outside hitter Riri Kasai proved unstoppable force of Japan as she carried out ace serves and mighty attacks to put the team in front with an 8-point advantage at 19-11. India tried hard to catch them, but their attempts were in vain. Japan went on their relentless attacks to take the first set 25-14.
The second set remained a similar script as the Japanese girls gained the upper hand to race to a 20-9 lead, thanks to their consistency and combination attacks by Miku Akimoto and Minami Nishimura. India put up a brave fight, hoping for a comeback. Still, Japan performed well defensively and stormed on to claim the completely one-sided second set 25-11.
With Riri Kasai hitting powerfully, Japan continued their onslaughts in the third set, showcasing their prowess with swift counter-attacks and solid blocks to take the commanding 15-8 lead. Confident of winning this set without much trouble, Japan head coach Hiroyuki Yamaguchi gave his first string players a breather, introducing substitutions to the court including the 193cm Japanese-American Keila Tamura. An attacking error from Kavita handed Japan the set and match point before Japanese-Nigerian Anna Uemura carried out an ace service to end the Indian challenge.
Anna Uemura chipped in with 12 points including 11 kills from 15 attempts for Japan, while Riri Kasai and Miku Akimoto kept good company to contribute 10 and 9 points respectively. Japan limited the opponents’ offense which saw no Indian player reach double digits. Kavita led India with 7 points, all in attack.
Japan dominated India in kills (49 to 16), blocks (3-0) and aces (8-0), but the Indian girls benefitted from the opponent errors (20-15).
“We had a good offense in this match against India. However, to win a match, we have to come up with good defence and offense. In my team, every player has an equal chance to play on court, but if given a chance, she must play her best. Although my girls played well in this match, but Niina Kuwagai and Riri Kasai were the two players with more outstanding performance,” Japan’s head coach Hiroyuki Yamaguchi said of his team.
Japan next take on Hong Kong, China on Tuesday, while India have a rest day.
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