Japan suffered their first loss in the 2021 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League in Rimini, Italy on Monday as the reigning Asian champions found formidable Brazil too strong to go down fighting in comfortable straight sets.
Brazil scored their third win in four games at this top-flight competition with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-21) sweep of Japan, handing the Asian side their first defeat in this year’s VNL and knocking them off the top of the standings.
Captain Fernanda Rodrigues chipped in with 21 points for Brazil, added with 14 by Tandara Caixeta and additional 10 by Gabriela Braga Guimaraes. Sarina Koga and Mayu Ishikawa scored respective 13 and 11 points on Japan’s losing efforts.
Japan’s Aki Momii said at the virtual mixed zone: “Before the match we have to think more that we must win, to be stronger mentally. The most important was good passing – our sideout didn’t work. We have to improve ahead of the next game.”
Gabi Guimaraes of Brazil said: “It was a really important match for us in getting the three points. It’s always difficult to play against Japan. They are not a tall team, but they have a lot of technique, they play really quick and we know how difficult it is to play against them. Today we served well and played well in block and defence and that’s the biggest point for us.
“Our defence worked really well today, we could work in our transition very good and also our attack was amazing, our setter Macris could use almost everyone and Fe Garay was really good in our attack. Brazil need to play like that, we need to play all the tactics – block, defence, serve, set, attack with quality and we did it today, so I’m really proud of my team,” she added.
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