Poland shut Japan the chance for final round !!

In Osaka, 18th August, Japan and Poland battled among 8,000 spectators in a game of measuring for the chance getting through a WGP 2007 final round. The host Japan could not resist the powerful spikes and impressive solid blocks and eventually defeated by the hands of Polish ladies by 1-3 sets (20-25, 25-16, 23-25, 14-25)
Having won over all of the world strongest teams namely Olympics Champions: China, World Cup: Italy, World Championship: Russia, today Poland went on the field to chase a ticket berth for the final round with a perfect team condition. The Polish clinched the 1st set when they showed a solid volleyball and stronger defensives, while the Japanese played the game without the star. However, Japan came back their form very quick in the 2nd set, and played very impressive volleyball skills in every fields. The fast attacking of Shoji combined with the talented spikes by Takahashi Miyuki gained many crucial points for Japan, and they led 8-5, 12-9. Thanks to simply-the-best serves by Kimura Saori, the Polish made too many recieving errors letting Japan to keep leading 19-9 and clinching the 2nd set with scores of 25-16.
In the 3rd set, both teams fought back each other and played long rally too many points. The host Japan led 8-5 after the first TTO. The Japanese continued winning points when it came to a long rally and kept the lead of 16-13 with a spectacular attacking by Takahashi. Then, the Polish went out there with superb solid blocks and gained point by point to level at 17-17. Then, the host made service errors letting Poland led 23-20. Once Takahashi and Araki found their sharp spikes, the scores were level at 23-23. And, it was Poland who had solid blockings to close the 3rd set by 25-23.
The 4th set was somewhat different drama when Poland performed both powerful spikes and impressive solid blocks without opening any rooms for the Japanese to play their volleyball. Poland won the set easily by 25-14, and eventually clinched the match of 3-1 sets.

Other competitions:
1. KAZ-RUS 2-3 (14-25, 25-14, 23-25, 25-23, 10-15)
2. JPN-POL 1-3 (20-25, 25-16, 23-25, 14-25)
3. ITA-DOM 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16)
4. BRA-TPE 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-20)
5. CUB-USA 2-3 (25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 25-22, 13-15)
6. CHN-NED 2-3 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 14-25, 12-15)
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วันนี้เล่นกันได้ดีทั้งสองทีมแล้วครับ กว่าจะได้แต่ละแต้มต้องเล่นกันยาวตลอดแต่จังหวะปิดสกอร์นั้นโปแลนด์ทำได้ดีกว่ามาก และที่ชัดเจนที่สุดคือกำแพงบลอคที่หนาแน่นมากๆ คิมุระกับอารากิทำอะไรไม่ได้เลย นัดนี้ที่เล่นได้เด่นสุดก้อมีแค่ชินจังคนเดียว แต่เกมโดยรวมนั้นสนุกและทำได้ดีทั้งสองทีมครับ ปีนี้โปแลนด์น่าจับตาครับ เทคนิคเยี่ยมมากๆ
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