JAPAN overcame the Netherlands in four sets, 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17, on Friday to remain spotless in the Manila leg of the 2023 Volleyball Nations League at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Skipper Yuki Ishikawa put on a show with 17 points on 14 attacks and two blocks, and one ace as Nippon Ryujin became first team to eclipse the 10-win mark in this year’s tournament while sending local fans in a frenzy.
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Japan now stakes its perfect record in a heavyweight match against a surging Italy team on Saturday, at 7 p.m.
“We were really working well so we have to continue to play like this and we have to work and prepare for the final phase. My teammates also played all good so I'm really happy,” said the popular Ishikawa.
After failing to capitalize on three set points in the second canto, the Japanese escaped through a net error by the Netherlands and an Ishikawa attack.
Japanese ace Ran Takahashi left the game during the closing stages of the second set after going down with an apparent hand injury. He returned to the court after a short rest.
Akihiro Yamauchi and Kento Miyaura were also key to Japan’s win as they notched 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Wouter Ter Maat had 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks for Netherlands, which after their sixth loss in 11 games faces a must-win against Slovenia on Sunday at 3 p.m. to have a chance at making it to the Final Eight.
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