In the first week of the Brazil round of the Volleyball Nations League 2024 Men's Tournament, the Japanese national team played against Cuba on Friday, May 24th (local time) and won 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 19-25, 22-20).
Starting members
Japan
OH: Takanashi (1), Tomita (13)
MB: Onodera (11), Takahashi Ken (8)
OP: Miyaura (12)
S: Fukatsu (1)
L: Yamamoto
Substitutes: OP Nishida (11), OH Otsuka (11), OH Kai (2), S Sekita, MB Yamauchi, MB Rally
Cuba
OH: Lopez (25), Yount (17)
MB: Concepcion (14), Simon (14)
OP: Sanchez (8)
S: Tondike (5)
L: Garcia
Substitutes: OP Masso (11), OH Melgarejo, S Taboada
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
※ () indicates score
TOSHIKI'S MVP
MB Futoshi Onodera
11 points (including 3 blocks), attack efficiency rate 311 TP 3T
It was hard to choose the MVP of this game, but I chose this player.
I was thrilled by the scene in the fifth set when he stopped the opponent's MB Simon with just one shot at 13-14.
His blocks were always involved in the sets Japan won, and his spikes, especially after the setter was replaced by Sekita, boasted a high success rate. He is also a master of serve reception.
Although his serve is still in a bit of a slump, I'm sure he'll bounce back quickly.
Match commentary
It was a huge comeback victory.
In the fifth set, Cuba was leading by three points at 11-14 and had the first match point, but thanks to OH Kai's aggressive serve, an opponent's mistake, and the aforementioned MB Onodera's powerful block, Cuba caught up at the last minute to 14-14. After that, Cuba turned the game around with further opponent's mistakes to lead 19-18, and finally OP Nishida scored a back attack to win the close match 22-20 with a set count of 3-2.
Japan struggled with Cuba's efficient spikes and high blocks throughout the match.
In particular, Cuba made the Japanese attackers a hard time with their high blocks, scoring 20 block points in the fifth set. Even if Japan managed to get through those blocks, Cuba's floor defense was also very strong that day.
Japan's serves were not very effective, and even when they did manage to break down their serve reception, OH Lopez smashed in a high ball over the block.
On the other hand, they also conceded many points due to mistakes (Japan conceded 21 points, Cuba 39 points), but Japan managed to grab the chances to win that day. I think there were quite a few mistakes, especially in important and pressured moments.
Still, it was a really tough game.
A comeback from 11-14 in the fifth set was highly unlikely, and to be honest, even while I was cheering, I had given up.
But the team didn't give up until the end and won.
Is it too cool?
My personal MVP was MB Onodera, but many other players also came on as substitutes and performed brilliantly, including S Sekita who came on as a substitute and revived the attacking line, OP Nishida who scored three consecutive service aces in the second set and on match point, OH Otsuka the deadly assassin, and OH Kai who continued to serve with all his might even when facing match point.
On the other hand, it was a disappointing result for OH Takanashi, S Fukatsu, and OP Miyaura, who were in the starting lineup for the first time in this tournament.
The dig king, libero Yamamoto, also struggled to show his true colors today. Or rather, it seemed like Japan wasn't picking up the opponent's spikes throughout the game. It seems like Cuba's spikes are a bit different from other teams'.
Still, as OP Miyaura said in the post-match interview, it was a victory that the team fought together and grabbed as a team. It doesn't matter who plays.
And by overcoming these difficulties, they will surely raise their level once again.
Our next opponent is the well-known Italian team. Moreover, Italy has not yet qualified to play in the Paris Olympics, so they will be coming to really beat Japan.
There is no doubt that they will face tough games again, but I feel like they will be able to do something again.
For detailed match stats,Here
Highlight Video
Toshiki's game commentary video
Next race information
vs Italy
May 25th (Sat) 26:00~ (Japan time)
Television broadcast
BS-TBS (recorded, 26th (Sun) 21:00~)
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Online broadcast (LIVE)
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Photo: FIVB
English 
Japanese