Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 9, 2022 – Fresh from brushing off India in comfortable straight sets on Sunday, Japan continued their superb form to shut out Australia 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-14) to make a clean sweep in Pool C in the 2022 AVC Cup for Men at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium here on Tuesday.
Japan, fielding their B team, and Australia similarly made a solid start in the opening set to trade attacks from the very first whistle. Star spiker Otake Issei led the Japan’s offense, while Australia came up with three-man blocks for exceptional attacks from the tough rivals. Japan took an early 11-9 lead before the Aussies clawed their way back into game, with Malachi Murch, coupled with Thomas Heptinstall, blocking everything at the net and Beau Graham unleashing sharp blows.
The on-going battle was hotly-contesting when Japan and Australia still played their best, providing not more than two points of the gap between them. As Japan took a narrow 21-19 lead, thanks to a smart drop shot from Tomita Shoma, the Australians stormed back with solid blocks and powerful attacks at both wings to level 24-24. From then, both sides fought neck and neck to try hard to stay in front, but Japan made the difference. As Japan captured the lead for good 26-25, Ozawa Hiroki and Higuchi Yuki effectively blocked a sharp spike from Sam Flowerday to help the team bag the hard-fought set 27-25.
Holding a 1-0 advantage, Japan seized the opportunity when Australia were errors-strewn, hammering aggressive attacks to race to a commanding 7-1 lead. Hoping for an improved offence, Australia sent in the 206cm-tall Matthew Aubrey, but their determination efforts were still in vain as Japan were cruising comfortably towards a routine victory in the set.
Devastating attacks from Tomita Shoma and Higuchi Yuki were causing the rivals’ problems as the Japanese widened the margin to 24-14. Aubrey fired a dazzling off-the-block attack to save the day for the Aussies before sub-in Nakamoto Kenyu overcame the taller blockers with his attack for the Japan’s comfortable 25-15 win in the second set.
Japan waltzed into a 4-0 lead in the third set, taking the chance when Australia made errors from the very beginning. After some lighting-fast spikes from Tomita Shoma, Higuchi Yuki and Larry Ik Evbade-dan, Japan found themselves nine points clear at 19-10 and stretched it to 23-14. To make short work of the rivals, Japan went on their exceptional form to capture the one-sided set 25-14 and match.
Larry Ik Evbade-dan chipped in 12 points including 11 attacks for Japan, while Otake Issei and Tomita Shoma kept good company to add 10 points apiece. No one scored double digits for Australia, with Thomas Heptinstall leading the team with 8 points.
Japan head coach Koichiro Shimbo expressed his satisfaction over his team’s victory. “We played smart with good attacks and combinations. However, Australia are very strong and tall with high blocks, but we can attack and beat them with good results. I have yet known which team between Korea and Thailand we have to play first in our next match, but we will prepare our team and try or best.”
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