In the second week of the Macau round of the 2024 Women's Volleyball Nations League, the Japanese national team faced Brazil on Tuesday, May 28th (local time) and lost 2-3 (26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 20-25, 11-15).
Starting members
Japan
OH: Koga (29), Ishikawa (22)
MB: Yamada (1), Araki (6)
OP: Hayashi (16)
S: Iwasaki (2)
L: Kojima, Fukudome
Substitutes: MB Miyabe (6), OP Kurogo (2), S Seki
Brazil
OH: Gabi (24), Ana Cristina (14)
MB: Diana (2), Carol (13)
OP: Rosamaria (19)
S: Roberta (2)
L: Nieme
Substitutes: MB Taiza (11), OP Kissy (2), OH Bergman (2), S Makris
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
※ () indicates score
TOSHIKI'S MVP
OH Gabi Guimaraes
24 points (3 on serve), attack efficiency rate 371 TP 3T
He was a point getter who scored a lot of points by smashing sharp spikes into the Japanese court regardless of whether he was in the front or back in tough situations. He was also impressive in encouraging the team as captain.
In fact, he is small among foreign players at 180cm tall, but there was a scene where he was able to spike the ball over MB Miyabe with his outstanding jumping ability.
Personally, I think she is the coolest female athlete with her beautiful and powerful spike form and her fierce fighting spirit on her face. I'm in love with her.
Match commentary
It was a disappointing defeat after a close match.
I think it was a match we could have won. The second set was very close. From 20-24, we scored four consecutive points to tie the score at 24-24, but we just couldn't get that one more point. If we had won here, Japan could have won 3-0.
In the early stages of the game, side attackers OH Koga, OH Ishikawa, and OP Hayashi were hitting their spikes well, and they were able to suppress Brazil's attacks, especially from the left, with their blocking and defense.
In the third set, OH Gabi's success rate from the left increased, but Japan also increased the number of quick shots with MB Miyabe's inclusion, and the decisiveness of Japan's side attacks also increased in proportion to that, allowing them to take the set.
However, from the fourth set onwards, Japan's serves did not work well, and MB Taiza, who came on midway through the third set, stood in Japan's way with blocks and spikes, quickly turning the tide in Brazil's favour.
The fifth set continued in the same vein, with Brazil leading throughout, winning 3-2.
I personally have doubts about the introduction of OP Kurogo and Seki in the 5th set. I didn't really understand the intention.
After the OP black ball, Seki was in the back row and was preparing a back attack from the right, but in the end he could only pass the ball to OH Koga, and the toss was not good either.
Couldn't they have tried OP Wada in the middle of the fourth set? It's such a waste.
Following the match against Poland, this was a match that showed a large share of the responsibility of the bench, who were unable to adapt to the opponents during the game, rather than the players themselves.
The next match against France is an opponent that we must win 3-0. Furthermore, it would be good if we could win by playing mainly with members who have not played so far, so that we can demonstrate our strength in important matches in the future.
I want to see more exciting possibilities.
For detailed match stats,Here
Highlight Video
Live streaming video
Next race information
vs France
May 30th (Thursday) 17:00~ (Japan time)
Television broadcast
BS-TBS (recorded, 30th (Thurs) 19:30~)
TBS Nations League special site (you can check the TV broadcast schedule, etc.):https://www.tbs.co.jp/volley-nationsleague/
Online broadcast (LIVE)
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Photo: FIVB
English 
Japanese