Jiangmen, China, July 2, 2024 – Defending champions Japan powered their way to Round of 8 following two successive wins including the sensational straight-set 25-14, 25-15, 25-13 triumph over Hong Kong, China in Pool B in the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium here on Tuesday.
Anna Uemura chipped in 14 points from 13 kills and one ace for Japan, while Miku Akimoto and Riri Kasai kept good company to contribute 12 and 10 points respectively. Tang Sum Yeun scored 14 points, all in attack, on the Hong Kong, China’s loss.
Fresh from comfortable straight-set win against India on Monday, the Japanese girls remained strong offensively with the likes of hard-hitting Anna Uemura and Miku Akimoto. Hong Kong, China also defended well in this tough match.
Japan started aggressively as usual to pile up a 6-4 lead, but with Hong Kong, China dominant in their defence, Uemura and Akimoto joined forces in tearing the rivals’ defence into shreds with their powerful attacks and great serves to extend the lead to 10-7. From then, the on-going battle became one-sided affair as Japan dominated in all elements – devastating attacks from Uemura and Akimoto, efficient blocks by Akimoto and Minami Nishimura and ace service by small-built, but powerful Uemura. Japan took the first set with ease 25-14.
Japan continued their domination in the second set, with Uemura unstoppable in the front-line attack. Riding the momentum and the inspiration coming from the cheerful substitutions, Japan broke away on an eight-point clear to lead 14-6 and head coach Hiroyuki Yamaguchi decided to rest their best players including Akimoto and Sae Omori and instead fielded the Japanese-American Keila Tamura, 193cm, and setter Chisato Hanaoka. Hong Kong, China took this opportunity to hit back effectively. With outside hitter Tang Sum Yuen unleashing some good attacks, Hong Kong, China reduced the gap 15-18, leaving Japan to field Akimoto again. After that, Japan cruised on and allowed the rivals no scoring opportunity to finally wrap up the set 25-15.
The third set also turned out another easy affair when Japan went on their mighty attacks and Hong Kong, China on defence and counter-attacks. Powerful hitter Sae Omori and Uemura played key roles in Japan’s scoring efforts as Hong Kong, China still had no answer to the defending champs’ excellent combination attacks. Japan led 8-4 before widening it to 19-8, 23-10 and allowed the opponents three more points to capture the set 25-13 and match, with Riri Kasai firing an aggressive winner.
Hong Kong, China face a must-win situation in their next match against India on Wednesday, the last day of the pool play. India had already lost in straight sets to Japan on Monday. That means a possible loss of either team in the Wednesday’s match will result in their relegation to the Classification Round for 9th-12th places.
“We played well in this match, but in our next round against much stronger teams including Korea and Chinese Taipei, I think we have to improve on our defence. Both Korea and Chinese Taipei had great performances. Our great point is defence and so, we have to practice it if we have to get our job well done. In this match against Hong Kong, China, our weak point, I think, was our rhythm. How to maintain the rhythm is very important while playing. Your performances could not be ups and downs,” Japan’s head coach Hiroyuki Yamaguchi commented.
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