Japan 🇯🇵 vs Iran 🇮🇷 | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026

Japan vs Iran | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026. The second week of the qualifying round of the "Volleyball Nations League 2026" (VNL) took place in Orleans, France, starting on Wednesday, June 24th.

The Japanese men's volleyball team, ranked 5th in the FIVB world rankings (as of the start of the match), faced Iran, ranked 17th, on Saturday, June 26th Japan time. They won in a full set, 3-2 (25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12), bringing their overall record to 6 wins and 0 losses.

In the first set, Japan's first point came from a back attack by Yuji Nishida. Both teams had stable serve receptions, and the game became a back-and-forth battle of side-outs. Larry Evadedan made a block to make it 8-7. Nishida then scored with another block to extend the lead to 9-7. Yuki Ishikawa made a skillful spike using the opponent's block, and setter Hideomi Fukatsu actively used quick attacks to score points. Towards the end of the set, Yuto Kai's relief serve gave Japan momentum, and they successfully broke serve. Finally, Iran's spike went out, and Japan won the first set 25-19.

In the second set, a spike by Ran Takahashi gave Japan a 4-2 lead, prompting Iran to call a timeout. Japan's serve reception was stable, and just like in the first set, they steadily secured side-outs. Libero Tomohiro Ogawa's steady reception prevented Iran from breaking through Iran's powerful jump serves. Relief server Kai then added two more breaks, extending Japan's lead to 21-16. A block by Fukatsu further increased their momentum, and a quick attack by Taishi Onodera secured the set 25-19.

In the third set, Iran attacked with their serves, scoring blocks and service aces to put Japan behind 2-6. The match continued at Iran's pace from start to finish, and the score gap widened significantly. Japan allowed four service aces and four blocks, losing the third set 20-25.

In the fourth set, Kento Miyaura, Motoki Nagaro, and Tomohiro Yamamoto were in the starting lineup. However, Iran's momentum was unstoppable, and the match proceeded at Iran's pace from the beginning, putting Japan behind 3-8. Gradually, Japan gained momentum with spikes from Miyaura and broke serve from Ran Takahashi to take an 8-9 lead. After changing setter to Fukatsu, Japan regained their rhythm and narrowed the gap to 14-16. Furthermore, Ran Takahashi scored after a dig by Miyaura to make it 22-23, a one-point difference. However, in the end, Iran scored with a spike, and Iran won the set 23-25.

The fifth set began with a back-and-forth battle. Both teams tried to unsettle each other with their serves, and Miyaura's block and Takahashi Ran's service ace gave Japan a 10-8 lead. Japan's serve reception was shaky, but Ishikawa scored a difficult high ball to make it 13-11. Another service ace by Ishikawa put Japan at match point, 14-11. Finally, Takahashi Ran sealed the victory, winning the game 15-12. Japan won in a full three sets, 3-2, securing their sixth consecutive win.

The Japanese men's national team will play their next match against the USA (ranked 3rd) on Saturday, June 27th at 24:00. Please continue to support the Japanese men's national team, who are on a six-game winning streak and have great momentum.

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