Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 12, 2022 – Japan, fielding their second-string B team, advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 AVC Cup for Men after disposing of hosts Thailand in thrilling three-setter 25-23, 26-24, 25-11 in their last match in the round of the last eight teams in Pool E at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium on Friday.
Before cheering home fans inside the packed competition venue, Thailand made a good start despite falling behind in the very first set 4-8. The 204cm-tall Kantapat Koonmee overpowered the smaller blockers with his powerful mid-court attacks and devastating left-hander Amorntep Konhan overcame the Japanese blockers with his lightning-fast attacks to keep the host side hot on the Japan’s heels with the reduced 16-17 gap.
Otake Issei and Tomita Shoma got Japan back on track as both of them unleashed on spectacular attacks. Japan advanced 21-18 before Kantapat performed brilliantly to tear the Japanese defence with devastating mid-court spikes to level 23-23. However, Japan marched on their exceptional skill, with Larry Ik Evbade-dan carrying out a fast spike and Kenya Fujinaka serving an ace to end the Thai challenge in the closely-contested first set 25-23.
The second set was tight as both sides played well up to their standard to level 7-7 and 16-16, but Japan started to produce the good when Otake and Tomita took turns puncturing the Thai defence with off-the-block attacks to hand the team some vital points for the team’s 24-21 lead, but Thailand did not give up easily, scoring three successive points from Amorntep’s mighty off-the-block attack, Kantapat’s back-row spike and a well-placed serve from Prasert Pinkaew to help the host side close the margin at 24-24. At the final stretch, Japan held firm to win the remaining two points to wrap up the thrilling set 26-24.
The third set turned out to be one-way traffic as Japan rolled on their rhythm, while Thailand failed to make their mark and started to drop from their best. Japan stormed on to surge into a three-point lead at 7-4 before stretching it to 16-6, seizing the opportunity when Thailand became more prone to unforced attacking mistakes.
Though backed by the cheering crowds, Thailand never looked like troubling the rivals aside from a much improved third set. Japan took a commanding 22-10 lead and never looked back since then. They allowed the host side only one more point to seal the one-sided set 25-11, match and a semifinal berth.
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