Kyoto, Japan, May 16, 2025 – A standout performance from Miguel Angel Castro Lopez and Yuji Nishida propelled Osaka Bluteon to a 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-17, 25-15) victory over Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC in the quarterfinals of the inaugural AVC Men’s Champions League on Friday at Shimadzu Arena.
Lopez led all scorers with 23 points, including 19 kills, 3 blocks, and an ace, while Nishida added 21 points from 14 attacks, 4 aces, and 3 blocks. Shoma Tomita contributed 16 points for the home team. Azizbek Kuchkorov was the top scorer for Nakhon Ratchasima with 16 points (12 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace), supported by Anurak Phanram (12 points) and Tamiraa Khangal (10 points).
After the match, Osaka Bluteon head coach Laurent Tillie commented:
“It was a tough match. We started well, but the Thai team showed great quality in their passing, defense, and blocking, which put us under a lot of pressure. Fortunately, we managed to regroup and secure the win and that’s the most important thing. Now, we’ll return to the hotel to develop a solid game plan for facing the Iranian team. That will also be a very challenging match. Their level continues to rise, so we’ll need to study them closely and prepare accordingly.”
Osaka Bluteon, winners of the 2024–25 Japan Volleyball Panasonic Energy Cup and silver medalists in the previous SV.League season, showcased their depth and firepower, featuring several national team stars including Nishida and Akihiro Yamauchi, along with the Cuban powerhouse Lopez and middle blocker Evbade-Dan Larry Ik.
Nakhon Ratchasima, 10-time champions of the Thailand League and recent winners of the Win Streak Invitational Tournament in Chinese Taipei, fielded a strong lineup with international talents – Mongolia’s Tamiraa Khangal, Uzbekistan’s Azizbek Kuchkorov, and Indonesia’s Donni Haryobo – alongside domestic standouts Anurak Phanram and veteran middle blocker Krissada Nilsawai.
The match opened with Nishida asserting dominance from the back row and from the service line, forcing defensive errors from the Thai side. Lopez and Tomita followed with thunderous spikes. Despite notable resistance from Kuchkorov and Anurak, and sharp offensive sequences from Khangal, Nakhon Ratchasima’s inconsistency in serve and attack led to their first-set loss.
The Thai club responded well in the second set, stabilizing their reception and attacking with better coordination. Khangal and Anurak powered their offense, and with improved blocking, they managed to take the set despite Nishida’s efforts to close the gap with his dynamic attacks. Strong teamwork and defense carried Nakhon Ratchasima to level the match.
The third set was fiercely contested early on. Krissada Nilsawai made key contributions at the net, and Anurak kept Thailand within striking distance at 17–18. However, Osaka Bluteon responded emphatically – Lopez and Nishida unleashed a flurry of attacks to spark a seven-point run that overwhelmed the Thai defense, securing the set.
In the fourth set, Lopez continued to dominate, frequently catching the Thai blockers off balance. Nishida added pressure with his pinpoint spikes and serves. Although Nakhon Ratchasima fought hard to contain the onslaught, their resistance eventually faltered. Osaka Bluteon’s cohesion, execution, and relentless attack sealed the match and a place in the semifinals.
With the win, Osaka Bluteon advance to face Foolad Sirjan Iranian in the semifinals. The winners will not only earn a spot in the AVC Men’s Champions League final but also a ticket to the prestigious 2025 FIVB Men’s Club World Championship, while Nakhon Ratchasima crashed out of the tournament following a spirited campaign.
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