JAPAN SWEEP INDIA IN LOPSIDED BATTLE TO TOP POOL B IN 22ND ASIAN SENIOR WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 1, 2023 – Title-holders Japan proved too strong for India to handle to breeze past the unfancied rivals in a completely one-sided battle 25-10, 25-16, 25-6 to top Pool B in their last preliminary match of the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship at the 5,000-seater Chartchai Hall on Friday.

Outside hitter Yuki Nishikawa chipped in with 19 points from 17 attacks and 2 aces for Japan. No Indian player scored double digits, with Anagha Radhakrishnan claiming 8 points on the team’s loss.

Japan and India had already bagged their first win against Iran. As only top two teams advanced to the next round, both Japan and India are ensured of securing their places in the Top 8, with the Friday’s match determined the Pool B winners.

The opening set turned out to be one-way traffic, with the formidable Japanese tearing the Indian defence apart with exceptional spikes and effective block. With Yuki Nishikawa and Miyu Nakagawa on fire in attack, Japan took an early 18-9 lead. From then on, India tried hard to fight back, but the Japan’s impeccable defence allowed the rivals the scoring difficulties. India bagged one more point from outside hitter Narikunnil Salikumar Saranya before going down tamely 10-25 to the much stronger Japanese.

The second set was a similar script as the first one. Japan proved their superiority over their lower-ranked opponents. After establishing an initial 15-11 lead, Japan kept adding break points and gradually extended their lead to 23-16. Kyoko Hayashi handed Japan the set point at 24-16 and shortly after that, Yuki Nishikawa and Rui Nonaka successfully blocked an attack from Nirmal to end the Indian challenge in the comfortable set 25-16.

Holding 2-0 advantage, Japan still gained the upper hand in the third set, which they led initially 12-6. The Japanese girls entertained volleyball fans inside the competition venue with their spectacular attacks, scintillating blocks and splendid teamwork to widen the gap to 20-6 and never looked back from then to capture the totally one-sided set 25-6