The 2023 Men's Volleyball Asian Championship is being held in Urmia (Iran). On Wednesday, August 23rd local time, the Japanese national team faced Bahrain in the first round of the final tournament and won 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17).
After the match, outside hitter Ai Takahashi shared his thoughts.
-How do you feel looking back on today's game?
Takahashi: We were able to play volleyball in a pretty good way from the start, so I think the fact that we were able to play our own style of volleyball regardless of the opponent led to us winning 3-0.
-There was a scene towards the end of the first set where you tossed the ball up the middle.
Takahashi: We had a bit of a margin of error in the points lead, so I think that trying to score a try like that and increasing the range of our attacks is an area where we need to improve in order to win, so I think it's important that we keep trying, even though we didn't score.
-I imagine there are some stressful aspects of the environment in Iran, such as internet restrictions. What are your thoughts on that?
Takahashi: It's not often that we get to play in an environment like this, so I think it's a great experience for me, and I think it's important that we perform well in this environment. Even in this environment, we need to show the strength of the Japanese team, and I think we need to overcome it, and develop the ability to fight in that environment.
- Please say a few words about the semi-finals and finals.
Takahashi: First of all, I'm really thinking about each match as it comes, so I don't know who my next opponent will be, but I want to prepare well for whoever comes my way, and also create a good rhythm by showing my own performance and the strength of the Japanese national team, and win.
[Re-upload] After the match against Bahrain in the Asian Championship # Ai Takahashi Player Comments② # Volleyball #Ryujin NIPPON pic.twitter.com/YAi4kFEPsY
— TOSHIKI (@toshikit71) August 26, 2023
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