Japan's flying Arrows take aim at hosts Thailand
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Japan's Toray Arrows skewered their third opponents in the 16th Princess Cup Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship at The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima, beating Iran's Gitipasand 25-16 25-17 25-15 to maintain their 100-per-cent record yesterday.
The Japanese champions fielded a strong squad including Kaori Kodaira, who top-scored with 18 points in Sunday’s 25-17 25-17 25-12 demolition of Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An.
The Iranians fought hard to stay in touch 14-17 in the first set with the formidable Toray. But Japanese strength and speed at the net began to tell, as they accelerated to a 25-16 first-set win.
With the second set in the bag, Toray rested their stars and brought on substitutes. But there was no respite for the Iranians, who fell to defeat 25-15.
Toray head coach Koichiro Kanno was satisfied with the team’s form and quick to turn his sights on Thailand. “Our defence lived up to expectations, which played an important role in our success.
“Our target in this tournament is to beat both Thailand and China.”
Today, Toray play their last Pool A match, against Burma’s Asia World VC.
Earlier, former three-time winners Tianjin Bridgestone showed no mercy against SLBFE, crushing the Sri Lankans 25-7 25-9 25-9.
Three straight wins ensured that the Chinese have topped Pool B. They next play in Friday’s quarter-finals where they will take on the fourth-placed team in Pool A.
