Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, June 24, 2017 – Outstanding team play by the Japanese team resulted in a 3-1 win (17-25, 25-17, 26-28, 23-25) over Egypt on the second day of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship Pool D clash.
The Japanese team started off their match against Egypt strongly by taking the lead with a perfect play from the Japanese setter Kaneko Masaki. But it was Kenta Takanashi who surprised the opposite team with strong
Egypt used the first set as a warm-up as they lost too many opportunities to close the set with a 17-25 score as a result.
The warm-up did the Egyptian team well as they gained confidence in their blocks and attacks. The Japanese didn’t see the strong play coming and lost the set 25-17.
Great playing Japan came back during the final stage of the third set with strong defences and the breakpoints, resulting in a 2-1 lead. Egypt managed to block Japan five times however it was not enough to close the third set.
In a thrilling fourth set it was Japan's Kenta Takanashi who received compliments by his coach as his outstanding play resulted in a 23-25 score.