Japan captain Mayu Ishikawa competes against the Netherlands in the 2025 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship in Bangkok on September 3. (©VOLLEYBALL WORLD)
In a back-and-forth duel with the Netherlands, Japan came out on top in the 2025 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship quarterfinals on Wednesday night, September 3 in Bangkok.
World No 4 Japan beat the Netherlands 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12.
With the hard-fought win, Japan earned a spot in the tournament semifinals against the winner of Thursday's United States-Turkey quarterfinal. The semifinal match is scheduled for Saturday in the Thai capital.
In the run-up to the global championship tourney, Japan had an impressive victory over the Netherlands in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League in June. The scoreboard showed the following, representing the three games in succession: Japan 25, Netherlands 17; Japan 25, Netherlands 15; Japan 25, Netherlands 16.
On Wednesday, stellar individual performances combined with Japan's fierce determination to reach the final four. Most notably, outside hitters Yukiko Wada (23 attack points) and Mayu Ishikawa (22 kills) spearheaded Japan's strong effort at the net.
For Ishikawa, Japan's triumph in the quarterfinals represented another high-scoring effort. She entered the match as the leading scorer in the tournament (73 points).
Setter Nanami Seki exhibited relentless energy and she was efficient as the ball distributor to the team's attackers. Seki had 52 successful sets, a personal-high total for the tourney, and only three passing errors on the night.
Wada also amassed four points while serving, a huge contribution on a night when each game was up for grabs. Captain Ishikawa chipped in with two big blocks and an ace, too. Yoshino Sato had 13 attack points, while Airi Miyabe had 10 total points, including seven kills. Haruyo Shimamura finished with nine points.
Elles Dambrink led the Netherlands with 20 points.
Spirited Competition in Volleyball Quarterfinals
After both teams had their fair share of shining moments in the first three games, it was more of the same for the rest of the match.
For instance, in Game 4, the score was tied 12-12, and again at 15-15 after an Ishikawa kill. Moments later, it was 16-16.
Japan then created some breathing room for itself, running off four straight points. It started with a strong attack by Shimamura.
Although the Netherlands closed the gap to two points on three occasions late in the game (22-20, 23-21 and 24-22), Japan's Sato had the final word in game, tying the match at two games apiece with an attack on set point.
A Relentless Pursuit of Points
World No 8 Netherlands grabbed a 3-0 lead in Game 5 and also held a 6-3 advantage.
Both teams were aggressive in the high-energy clash, which was reflected in the running score in the final game ― 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11-11. That 11th point for Japan was courtesy of an Ishikawa kill. And Japan seized control for a brief, pivotal moment to take a 13-11 lead.
Ishikawa delivered another powerful hit to score another point and give Japan a 14-12 advantage. Then she closed it out with a match-winning spike.
Japan's players congratulated one another, exchanging high-fives and hugs. Coach Ferhat Akbas, who began his new job in February, was equally excited after Japan's triumph.
And with the win, Ishikawa, Wada and their teammates kept alive their goal of earning a medal at the world championship for the first time since 2010. Fifteen years ago, Japan claimed the bronze at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo.
Looking ahead to the semifinals, Ishikawa stressed the importance of physical fitness for her team.
"We want to get our condition right, each player preparing well, and ready to make a strong start," she said after Wednesday's match, according to Tokyo Sports.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
