FUKUOKA - Japan's men's volleyball team defeated Australia in straight sets on September 9 to complete the preliminary round of the Asian Championship with three consecutive victories, advancing to the knockout stage as pool winner and moving within three wins of securing a place at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Japan faced Australia, which had also been leading the pool, in its final preliminary-round match, with Ran Takahashi providing an early spark from the service line.
Takahashi hit consecutive service aces to give Japan momentum before producing one of the highlights of the match, striking a shot while facing away from the Australian block.
Japan took the opening two sets to move within one set of victory.
The team came under pressure in the third set after falling behind, but Yuji Nishida helped turn the match back in Japan's favor.
Nishida injured his right knee in Japan's opening match against Oman but continued to play in the tournament while wearing a support brace.
His powerful spike brought Japan level in the third set before Takahashi delivered another service ace to put the team ahead.
Japan maintained the advantage from there to complete its third straight victory and finish first in the pool.
"I'm glad it worked," Takahashi said of his behind-the-back shot. "Our ultimate goal is to win the championship, earn the ticket to Los Angeles and then win a medal at the Olympics. In the knockout stage, I want us to focus only on winning and go for the championship."
Japan now needs three more victories to secure Olympic qualification.
Former Japan international Tatsuya Fukuzawa said serving would be crucial to the team's prospects because Japan is generally shorter than many of its opponents.
"The most important thing is definitely the serve," Fukuzawa said. "Because we are shorter than other countries, we have to disrupt them with the first serve. That is going to be Japan's lifeline."
Asked whether Japan could win the tournament, Fukuzawa said he believed it could.
Nishida said the team must remain focused despite the pressure surrounding the final three matches. "I think it is important that we make sure we win the remaining three matches," he said. "There will be tremendous pressure, but I want us to keep fighting with the belief that we can do it."
Nishida led both teams with 16 points against Australia despite facing opponents measuring more than 2 meters tall. The 186-centimeter Nishida recorded a spike success rate of about 82%.
Setter Hideomi Fukatsu played a major role in supporting Japan's attack, distributing the ball effectively to prevent Australia's blockers from settling into a rhythm and creating favorable attacking opportunities for his hitters.
Takahashi later explained how he executed his spectacular shot with his back turned toward the block. "It's really based on my own feel," he said. "I hit it by imagining the view I had seen before turning my back."
Japan will begin the knockout stage in the quarterfinals on September 11, where a defeat would end its campaign and its immediate bid to secure qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Source: FNN
