Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 9, 2022 – Fresh from brushing off India in comfortable straight sets on Sunday, Japan continued their superb form to shut out Australia 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-14) to make a clean sweep in Pool C in the 2022 AVC Cup for Men at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium here on Tuesday.
Japan, fielding their B team, and Australia similarly made a solid start in the opening set to trade attacks from the very first whistle. Star spiker Otake Issei led the Japan’s offense, while Australia came up with three-man blocks for exceptional attacks from the tough rivals. Japan took an early 11-9 lead before the Aussies clawed their way back into game, with Malachi Murch, coupled with Thomas Heptinstall, blocking everything at the net and Beau Graham unleashing sharp blows.
The on-going battle was hotly-contesting when Japan and Australia still played their best, providing not more than two points of the gap between them. As Japan took a narrow 21-19 lead, thanks to a smart drop shot from Tomita Shoma, the Australians stormed back with solid blocks and powerful attacks at both wings to level 24-24. From then, both sides fought neck and neck to try hard to stay in front, but Japan made the difference. As Japan captured the lead for good 26-25, Ozawa Hiroki and Higuchi Yuki effectively blocked a sharp spike from Sam Flowerday to help the team bag the hard-fought set 27-25.
Holding a 1-0 advantage, Japan seized the opportunity when Australia were errors-strewn, hammering aggressive attacks to race to a commanding 7-1 lead. Hoping for an improved offence, Australia sent in the 206cm-tall Matthew Aubrey, but their determination efforts were still in vain as Japan were cruising comfortably towards a routine victory in the set.
Devastating attacks from Tomita Shoma and Higuchi Yuki were causing the rivals’ problems as the Japanese widened the margin to 24-14. Aubrey fired a dazzling off-the-block attack to save the day for the Aussies before sub-in Nakamoto Kenyu overcame the taller blockers with his attack for the Japan’s comfortable 25-15 win in the second set.
Japan waltzed into a 4-0 lead in the third set, taking the chance when Australia made errors from the very beginning. After some lighting-fast spikes from Tomita Shoma, Higuchi Yuki and Larry Ik Evbade-dan, Japan found themselves nine points clear at 19-10 and stretched it to 23-14. To make short work of the rivals, Japan went on their exceptional form to capture the...
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