Japan defeated Brazil on Day 8 to make the first major favorite of the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship go down.
In Arnhem, the Netherlands, the national team of Japan stunned world No. 2 Brazil in Pool D by a score of 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20) to avenge their loss to China two days ago and secure their place in the World Championship second stage. When Turkey lost to Thailand on Day 2, it was considered the first surprise of the tournament. But the result of the match between Brazil and Japan will certainly shock the public more than that.
The ’Seleção’ was so close to forcing the match to the tie-break, but they failed to bring the fourth set to the conclusion despite being 10-4 up. What can be taken as a mitigating circumstance for the team commanded by Zé Roberto is that they were among the first teams to secure a spot in the second stage on Wednesday so the renowned expert had room to put out a combined lineup. On the other hand, Japan had something to fight for and now joined today’s rivals and China in the next phase of the competition.
Outside hitter, Arisa Inoue of Japan, captained her team while Sarina Koga was injured, scoring a match-high 27 points. Priscila Daroit ’Pri Daroit’, who finished with 17 points, was the most prolific player from Brazil.
Also today, China defeated the Czechs by a score of 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 27-25) to top their pool with a 4-0 win-loss record and a perfect 12-0 set record. On 3-1 records and 9 points each, Brazil is in second place, and Japan in third. Later on Friday, Argentina will face Colombia, and if they win, all four tickets from this pool will be distributed with one round of matches remaining.
Canada eliminated Bulgaria from contention for the second phase. Even though the latter gave the defending champions, Serbia, a hard time earlier in the tournament, they succumbed in a duel they had an imperative to win. Canada earned the second win in Pool B in Łódź, Poland, and thus the ticket to the next round, having a 2-2 record and 6 points. Bulgaria remained winless (0-4) and at 1 point. Kiera Van Ryk scored 22 points for the North Americans. On the losing side, Elitsa Vasileva Atanasijević tallied 18 points.
Canada’s win pushed Germany, who’ll play their fourth match in the event later today, to the second stage. The ’Butterflies’collected 6 points thus far and a 2-1 win-loss output so they can play against the USA at 7 p.m. relaxed. This way all 4 slots from Pool B for the next stage are taken as Serbia (swept Kazakhstan today) and the United States achieved so on Thursday.
At this very point, the number of teams that passed over the group stage climbed to 13 overall, which means that there are three slots remaining.
2022 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship – Preliminary Phase, Day 8:
In progress:
Colombia – Argentina
USA – Germany
8 p.m.:
Netherlands – Belgium
