Ninh Binh, Vietnam, June 28, 2017 – Japan’s Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza registered their first win at the SMM 2017 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship following a comfortable straight-set 3-0 (25-17, 27-25, 25-20) victory over Thailand’s Air Force VC at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza, runners-up at this season’s Japan’s V. Premier League and bronze medalists at the previous edition in Myanmar, got off to a brilliant start to win the opening set 25-17 without much effort.
Air Force VC tried to make a comeback in the second set when they had a narrow lead 18-17.
Both teams traded points by points until Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza captured the lead 26-25 before Jirayu Raksakaew hit the ball into the net to hand the Japanese side the 27-25 win in the set for the Toyoda Gosei’s commanding 2-0 lead.
With good serves and powerful attacks, the Japanese side were more dominant in the third set to lead 16-10 and 24-19. Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza allowed Air Force one more point to end the Thai challenge 25-20.
“It was a great opening day to win the first match. The first game of the tournament is always interesting as I had a chance to obtain good information about my team and the team we are playing. I could see everyone in my team playing and learn after that what to improve. In deed, we started well with good energy and I am happy with the team going,” Finnish Tommi Tiilikainen, head coach of Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza, commented after the match.
“For me, this is my first tournament with this team as a coach. I want to try my best. Last year was a result. I think everyone in the team still has the same goal – to win the game. It doesn’t change this time. I would love to be part of it. I am really excited for the next match against team from Maldives. We will do our best,” he added.
Croatia-import Igor Omrcen contributed 17 points for the Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza’s first win in the top-tier competition, while Jirayu Raksakaew topscored for Air Force VC with 18 points including 14 kills, 2 kill blocks and 2 aces.
Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza will next face Maldivian Sports & Recreation Club, while Air Force VC will go up against China Beijing Baic Motor in their Pool D preliminary match on Thursday.
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