Manama, Bahrain, July 28, 2024 – Defending and three-time champions Japan edged past Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-27, 25-19, 25-12, 26-24) on Sunday to get their Pool B campaign off on a positive note in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship.
The Japanese needed to battle back from a set down to claim the hard-earned four-set triumph and come away with the full three points.
The Kazakhs put in a strong fight but following the opening frame could not carry over their momentum. After falling behind early in the fourth set, they rallied to draw level and even took a slim 18-17 lead. Things remained close the rest of the way but after Kazakhstan saved a match point, Japan closed the game out with a Yuki Kashiwazaki smash and a clever play by Teruki Ishida at the net.
Outside hitter Karen Masajedi spearheaded the Japanese with a game-high 20 points, while Yuki Kashiwazaki and team captain Sawa Maeda added 18 and 11 points respectively.
Nurassyl Mukhtar paced Kazakhstan with 13 points, while fellow outside hitter Mastikhin Vladislav Mastikhin contributed 10. Middle blocker Rustam Bugayev scored nine points in defeat.
Japan head coach Hiroyuki Takeuchi later congratulated his players on the win and credited their resilience and sticking to the game plan for the way they turned the match around after the first set setback.
The Japanese are back in action on Monday against Saudi Arabia, while Kazakhstan will look to bounce back against Chinese Taipei.
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