Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 7, 2022 – Powerful Otake Issei steered Japan to their convincing straight-set 25-15, 25-15, 25-15 victory against India in their opening Group C encounter in the 2022 AVC Cup for Men at Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium on Sunday.
Japan, sending their players from second string B Team, confidently started strongly in their very first match in the topflight tournament, taking an early lead with a five-point clear at 7-2. India, fielding their U20 squad, attempted to come back into the set. Giri Harshit led the team’s offence with his attacks as the Indians gradually pulled their game together. Still, Japan went on their attacks, with the 202cm Otake overcoming the smaller blockers with his exceptional attacks. As Japan were taking a commanding 23-14 lead, Yuki Higuchi and Takahiro Namba produced a monster block to a Giri’s fierce attack for the set point. However, India taught them victory never comes easily as Dagar Sachin came up with a fast spike to save the day for the team. Still, everything was working well with the Japanese side as Yugi Higuchi closed it off at 25-15 with an aggressive attack.
The second set was more competitive when both sides started aggressively. The score was tied at 4-4 before Japan made the difference moments later. Otake and Shoma Tomita remained the key weapons of the team as the former attacked powerfully and the latter came up with ace serves. Japan surged away with a 7-point advantage to lead 12-4 and still gained control in the set. India’s comeback efforts were in vain as Japan cruised on comfortably. After that, Otake was on fire, puncturing the Indian defence apart with his mighty attacks. It was the similar script at the home stretch when Japan led by wide gap 23-14, allowing the young Indians one more point to wrap up the easy set with the similar margin 25-15.
Going down two straight sets, India maintained their poise to hit back bravely for an initial 3-1 lead. Japan, which sharpened their skill in a friendly match against Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists Argentina during the 2022 VNL in Tokyo, moved ahead 15-10 and widened the gap to 19-12, courtesy of devastating attacks from Otake and Yuki Higuchi. Japan still enjoyed attacking spree to take a 11-point gap at 24-13, but later lost two straight points from Kenyu Nakamoto’s erratic serve and another spike mistake. Larry Ik Evbade-dan hammered a spike on Japan’s way for the team’s 25-15 win.
Otake Issei scored a match-high 19 points including 15 attacks for Japan, while no one from India scored double digits with Tanish Choudhary leading with 6 points.
“It’s good to win the first match. However, I admit that it’s not easy to beat India because they are strong. After this, we have to be well-prepared physically and mentally since we have to next take on Australia. We will do our best,” Japan head coach Koichiro Shimbo commented after the match.
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