In Bangkok, in front of packed stands, the Japanese national team left no chance for the hosts from Thailand and qualified for the quarterfinals of the Women's Volleyball World Championship.
The 'Samurai girls' won with a clean 3:0 set score, showing stability in decisive moments and dominance both in blocking and in attack.
The match was officiated by Bulgarian referee Ivaylo Ivanov.
Set score
| Team | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Thailand | 20 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
Japan demonstrated the ability to close out sets in key rallies – in both of the last two sets, the hosts were close but could not withstand the pressure. The difference in experience and discipline was decisive.
Statistics of key indicators:
| Statistic | Japan | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 47 | 40 |
| Block | 2 | 5 |
| Serve (Aces) | 4 | 1 |
| Points from opponent's errors | 22 | 20 |
| Total points | 75 | 66 |
Japan excelled in attack and serve, while Thailand had more blocks. However, the Japanese compensated with higher efficiency and fewer critical errors.
Play by elements
| Statistic | Japan | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Digs | 87 | 90 |
| Reception | 59 | 66 |
| Setting | 126 | 136 |
Thailand was more active in defense and setting, which indicates that the hosts played longer rallies. But the lack of an effective finish in attack tipped the scales in favor of the Japanese.
Top scorers
| Team | Surname | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Ishikawa | 14 |
| Japan | Shimamura | 12 |
| Thailand | Chatchu-On | 12 |
| Thailand | Pimpichaya | 11 |
Japan will face the Netherlands in the 1/4 finals, who earlier today dethroned World Champion Serbia. The match will be played on September 3.
