Japan defeated Argentina 3:1 (25:16,25:22,18:25,25:23) and theoretically "packed the bags" for the "gauchos". After this victory, the Samurai have 4 points and are second in Group C behind USA, who have 5 points. Germany is third with 3 points.
Japan started the match with a bang, alternating phenomenal defense with beautiful attacks from the back row. The serve also favored the volleyball players from the Land of the Rising Sun. Logically, they closed the set with 25:16.
The second game did not start well for Philippe Blain's boys, who were trailing until the middle of the set -10:16. The Japanese managed to score a series of 4 points. The pressure continued until 19:20, when after an unsuccessful video challenge for Argentina, Japan equalized the score -20:20. A red card followed for Argentina for disputing a referee's decision, and another point went to the Asians' tally -21:20. Ishikawa twice gave his team the lead, with the first game point coming after a block by setter Sekita against Conte. Ishikawa again attacked the block and closed the set with 25:22.

A balanced start to the third set followed, with the Argentinians gradually increasing their tempo, and after an ace by Conte came the first game point for the South Americans at 17:24. Lima sealed the victory for Argentina, who reduced their deficit by one set.

The fourth game also started evenly, with the Japanese managing to create a two or three-point lead in their favor, a lead they maintained until the middle of the game. Then Ran Takahashi came alive, increasing the lead to 4 points for Japan - 18:14. The Argentinians managed with dedicated play to get within a point of their opponent - 21:20. The first match point came after an attack by Takahashi - 24:21. The Argentinians managed to postpone the end of the match twice, but it came after a back-row attack by Kento Miyaura.

The most points in the match were scored by opposite Yuji Nishida - 21 (including 5 aces), Ran Takahashi added 3 more aces and a total of 14 points for the win. For Argentina, the top scorers were Conte and Lima, with 19 and 16 points respectively.
The last matches in Group C are on August 2, when they will face each other:
Argentina - Germany and Japan - USA.

photos:volleyballworld.com