The third day of the men's volleyball world championships began yesterday, and the Japanese men's national team, also known as "Dragon God Nippon," which won 3-0 against Qatar on the first day, faced Brazil, formerly ranked 4th in the world. Immediately after the start of the match, Opposite Nishida scored a service ace, and Japan led the first set until the middle of the game, but after that, they were shown the difference in overall strength and lost 0-3 in straight sets.
With this result, Japan's record is now 1 win and 1 loss, and the only match left in the qualifying round is tomorrow's match against Cuba. In this article, we will introduce the Cuban team, who will be tomorrow's opponent, and explain how to beat them.
Conditions for advancement to the final tournament
Before introducing the Cuban team, let's look at the conditions for advancing to the final tournament.
A total of 16 teams will advance to the final tournament: the teams placing second or higher in each qualifying pool and the top four third-placed teams.
In other words, JapanIf they win the next match against Cuba, they will advance to the final tournament..
Even if we lose, we still have a chance to advance to the tournament, but considering the points we can win,Get at least two sets and bring it up to a full setThere will be a need for it.
However, the possibility of being eliminated from the qualifying round is not zero, so a win against Cuba is a sure thing. We have no choice but to win. Let's go and win.
Cuban National Team
Cuba is an aggressive team that best describes itself with the words "height and power." Although they are ranked 12th in the world, lower than Japan, they have the potential to compete on equal terms with the world's top teams, as seen in their full-set match against Brazil, making them the top candidate to be the dark horse of this tournament.
Although the team has achieved many glories in the past, such as coming in second at the 2010 World Championships, there was a rule in the past that players playing for overseas clubs could not represent Cuba as a member of the Cuban national team (Japan had a similar rule in the past). This meant that many players left the national team at a young age in search of high salaries and success in their club careers, and the national team's performance was unstable.
However, this rule was finally abolished in 2019. Now, three years later, the team has evolved into a powerhouse with a good mix of returning experienced veterans and young players who have grown through experience in overseas leagues.
Main starting lineup
#2 Melgarejo 197 363 OH Milan (Italy)
#7 Garcia 183 325 L Banana
#9 Osoria 201 345 MB Cannes (France)
11 Davoada 191 343 S Baia Mare (Romania)
12 Herrera 196 355 OP Perugia (Italy)
13 Simon 208 387 MB Piacenza (Italy)
18 Lopez 190 363 OH Sada Cruzeiro (Brazil)
Three players have reached a height of over 360cm (none in Japan). Many of them also play in the Italian league, the world's top league.
Players to watch out for
①Roberto Randy Simon (MB)
He is a monster player who boasts an astonishing maximum height of 387cm (according to Volleyballbox). The top of the backboard of a basketball hoop is apparently 395cm, so he can reach up to that height.
When it comes to the world's number one middle, his name is undoubtedly mentioned alongside Muserski. With his overwhelming height and power, he scores a lot of points with quicks, blocks, and serves, and it is not uncommon for him to earn more points than the side players. In last season's Italian League final, he played a major role in leading his team to victory and was named MVP.
In short, it's a monster. Yes.
② Esus Herrera Jaime (OP)
A funky-looking southpaw opposite who scores a lot of points with spectacular shots, just as he looks. He was the team's top point getter in both the matches against Brazil and Qatar.
Last season, he helped Chaumont win the French Cup, and his performance has been highly praised, earning him a transfer to the prestigious Italian club Perugia next season.
I have noticeable piercings in both ears, but I also have a piercing in my tongue.
③Miguel Angel Lopez (OH)
At 190cm tall, he is not much different in build to Japanese players, but he is a bird-man player who boasts overwhelming jumping power, with a maximum height of 363cm. From watching the video, it seems like he can jump even higher. Along with Herrera, he is one of the point getters, and his sharp swings and punchy spikes and serves are appealing.
He is a member of the prestigious Brazilian club Sada Cruzeiro, where he led the team to victory last season and was named league MVP. He is also a talented player who won the championship and MVP at last year's Club World Championship.
No, it really does jump up and down.
Japan's strategy for conquering Cuba
① Attack with serves
As always, an aggressive serve is an absolute requirement. Japan, which has issues with blocking, will not be able to beat strong opponents unless their serves work well.
Of course, Nishida and Ishikawa will have aggressive jump serves, but since Cuba's receiving is not as good as Brazil's, the short serves often used by Sekita and the jump floater serves from the middle players are also expected to be highly effective depending on the target.
I think it would be best to target OH Lopez with your serve. Melgarejo on the opposite side has fewer shots, and if you can block Lopez's pipe attacks, which are particularly effective when he is in the back, you will be able to gain an advantage.
② Don't rush the attack
In yesterday's match against Brazil, we lost points due to blocks, which was one of the reasons for our defeat. Cuba is also a tall team, so if we just hit the spikes too hard, we will fall prey to their blocks. It is important to aim for blockouts, try to drop the ball forward with a feint, get the rebound, and attack patiently to develop rallies in our favor.
Compared to Brazil, Cuba's receiving and floor defense skills are inferior and they make a lot of mistakes (they made 10 or more more errors than their opponents in each of the past two games), so the longer they can keep up the rallies, the more to Japan's advantage.
3) Actively use switch blocks
Japan's left-side block, especially when the setter is in the front line, is weak, and it is not uncommon for spikes to be hit from above. In the match against Brazil, OH Real, who often matched up with Sekita, allowed many points.
In the match against Cuba, especially if he is matched up against Lopez, there is a risk that many of the balls will be directed to him, allowing him to score easily.
To counter this, I think it's important to try switching the OH and block positions at key points.
I feel that the Cuban setters in particular are likely to get into the groove because they still have little experience at the top level.
Key to victory: Yuki Ishikawa (OH)
I think this player is the key.
In particular, he has just come back from injury and did not appear to be in top form for the match against Brazil, so if he can show his true potential and use his skillful technique to toy with Cuba, victory will come much closer, and seeing their captain in action will surely boost team morale.
I'm looking forward to Ishikawa Yuki's awakening!
All that's left now is to support them! Let's all cheer on Ryujin Nippon!!
Let's all cheer them on!
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We'll definitely win tomorrow and move on to the final tournament! Good luck Ryujin Nippon!!
Photo: FIVB
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