By Marie Louise Principe
Chiba, Japan, September 17, 2021 – Host team Japan took a 3-0 win (25-23, 25-17, 25-23) against Australia in the Quarterfinal Stage – Pool E of the 21st Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship. The match held on Friday at the Chiba Port Arena officially sent the hosts to the Final Four teams to remain in contention for the title.
“We are happy with this victory by 3-0. This brings us to the semifinal round.
At the beginning, Australia played well with (Thomas) Edgar and we couldn’t find a solution to overcome. When our defense started working better, we were able to control the game,” said Japan coach Yuichi Nakagaichi.
Captain Yuki Ishikawa led the home team win with 14 points, while Thomas Edgar scored 15 points in the loss.
Japan utilized Issei Otake on the right-side as the taller option for coach Nakagaichi.
Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi comprised the passing unit.
Australia setter Arshdeep Dosanjh ran his plays with Edgar on the right side.
Meanwhile in Japan’s side, Ishikawa found good tempo with his left-side attack, that the opponents were keeping close guard on him.
The Australian blockers were quick to line up to the wing to challenge the host team’s attacks.
Ishikawa managed a way to vary the speed and direction of his attacks as a workaround, as the host team slowly built their momentum to a 25-23 finish in the first set.
In the second set, Japan, having the edge in floor coverage, continued to play well in transition. Their cohesiveness showed rather well. They ran the middle attack and the pipe plays with a good measure of success.
The Volleyroos concentrated on their wing attack, with second setter Nicholas Butler trying to get their combinations to work. They also tried to firm up the block defense, having to watch out for hosts’ key hitters.
With Otake being closely guarded by the right wing, he continued to find success, knowing well how to place the ball off the block or with a pokey. Takahashi also started soar from the pipe, to help Japan take the second set, 25-17.
In the third set, Japan setter Masaki Oya continued to run a well-distributed offense that kept the opponents’ blockers guessing. He was amidst a league of hitters who would be ready upon any set play, and all because he was assisted by a superb passing unit.
Australia anchored the primary option on Edgar, and also sought some swings from Max Staples to help keep the set close.
The hosts surged with their momentum to punctuate the match with a huge block, and close at 25-23.
Japan, the winningest team in the competition’s history with a total of nine titles, will look to capitalize on the support from the home crowd in Chiba in Saturday’s semifinals, as they continue the search for a tenth trophy.
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