Japan boosted its direct quarterfinals hopes after grabbing three full points from their Pool C win over Argentina in Paris 2024.
Japan is officially on the board for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Coming off a tough five-set defeat against Germany last July 27, Japan turned things around against Argentina, winning in four sets, 25-16, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, at the South Paris Arena 1 on Wednesday, July 31 (Philippine time).
From the start, it was evident that Ryujin Nippon were determined to prove their previous game was merely an anomaly as they now reaffirm their status as tournament favorites.
The teams traded blows through the first 19 points, with Japan securing the first two-point lead at 11-9. From there, they dominated, led by Yuji Nishida’s powerful performance to easily take the first set.
Nishida was unstoppable, scoring 10 points on 5/7 attacks and five aces in the first set alone. He finished the match with a game-high 21 points.
Argentina rebounded in the second set, winning seven of the first eight points and extending their lead to 16-9.
Japan, however, mounted a furious rally, frustrating Argentina to the point that Facundo Conte received the first red card of the Olympic tournament. The Japanese squad ended the set on a 16-6 run to take a two-set lead.
But in the third set, Argentina showed resilience, gaining control after a tight start and taking a 19-13 lead, eventually winning the frame to keep the match alive.
The fourth set mirrored the first, with the teams rarely separated by more than a point until Japan took control mid-set.
Argentina made a late push, but Kento Miyaura sealed the win with an off-the-block hit, giving Japan all three points for the standings.
Ran Takahashi backed Nishida with 14 points for Japan. Taishi Onodera and team captain Yuki Ishikawa had 12 and 11 points, respectively.
34-year-old Argentinian Facundo Conte tried all he could with 19 points, while Bruno Lima added 16 markers in the loss.
After two matches in Pool C, Team USA lead the pack with five points, while Germany and Japan are tied with four points each. Argentina has been eliminated after failing to secure any points from the first two games.
Japan will face the United States in the final pool play game on Saturday, August 3, at 3 a.m., while Argentina will play against Germany on Friday, August 2, at 3 p.m., aiming to act as a spoiler.