JAPAN 🇯🇵 vs CHINA 🇨🇳 | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026

Japan vs China | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026. The first week of the qualifying round of the Volleyball Nations League 2026 (VNL) is being held in Linyi, China, starting on Wednesday, June 10th.

The Japanese men's volleyball team, ranked 6th in the FIVB world rankings (as of the start of the match), faced China, ranked 31st, on Saturday, June 13th Japan time, and won with a set score of 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21), securing their third consecutive victory in the tournament in China.

In the first set, Japan trailed 6-8 against China, who were basking in the home crowd's cheers. However, they managed to break through China's middle blockers, who were the heart of their attack, and with spikes from Yuki Ishikawa, who was back in the starting lineup for this match, and blocks from Taishi Onodera, also back in the starting lineup, they managed to take a 15-11 lead. Although China narrowed the gap afterwards, Japan was leading 20-17 as the set neared its end. Showing tenacious defense, including winning long rallies, Japan took the first set 25-23.

In the second set, Hideomi Fukatsu made a good receive that led to a point, but China's attacks, utilizing their height advantage, kept the match close in the early stages. However, a spike by Ran Takahashi and a block by Onodera gave Japan an 11-8 lead, and then two consecutive service aces by Ran Takahashi extended the lead to 14-9. Japan continued to dominate both offensively and defensively, leading 20-14. Although China narrowed the gap to just one point towards the end, Ran Takahashi's back attack secured the win, and Japan took the set 25-22.

In the third set, China continued to score points, carrying the momentum they had shown at the end of the second set, and took a 1-5 lead, prompting Japan to call a timeout. Japan was unable to stop China's thorough middle blocker attacks, and the lead widened to 2-9. At 4-11, Japan made a double substitution, bringing in Kento Miyaura and Motoki Nagaro. Japan gradually found their rhythm and narrowed the gap with spikes from Shoma Tomita and others, but the early lead proved too much, and they lost the set.

In the fourth set, Kento Miyaura started the match. China seemed to be gaining momentum, but Japan's tenacious defense and a service ace from Takahashi Ran brought the score to 5-4. After that, both teams exchanged side-outs and entered the middle of the set tied at 10-10. Ishikawa hit a two-touch set to make it 12-10. Onodera's serves were sharp, and Japan scored consecutive points, including a service ace, giving them a two-point lead as the set neared its end. Japan steadily widened the gap by connecting attacks from block touches, and finally Miyaura sealed the victory with a 25-20 set score, winning the set 3-1.

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Yuji Nishida
yuji nishida volleyball
yuji nishida VNL 2026