Manama, Bahrain, August 2, 2024 – Japan maintained their pristine record in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship with a dramatic 3-1 (22-25, 28-26, 25-18, 25-15) win against Pakistan in their concluding game of the Top Eight stage in Pool F.
The defending and three-time champions rallied following a first-set setback behind the impressive play of their formidable quartet of Karen Masajedi, Rei Iwata, Sawa Maeda, and Yuki Kashiwazaki.
Masajedi was exceptional in the close-out set, scoring eight of a team-high 18 points in the frame alone.
The Japanese came away with the full three points to head into the semi-finals on Saturday with a maximum of nine from this phase. They handed the Pakistanis their first loss of the competition, but they are also already through to the last four. Both teams’ semis opponents will be confirmed later on Friday night.
Maeda and Iwata added 13 points apiece in Japan’s win, while Kashiwazaki scored 12. For Pakistan, Muhammad Yahya was their leading man with 21 points, while Muhammad Irfan chipped in 10.
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