Japan upsets Russia to break win drought in volleyball GP
Japan upsets Russia to break win drought in volleyball GP
Eva C. Komandjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta
Japan chalked up its first win at the women's 2004 World
Volleyball Grand Prix while Cuba continued its winning ways with
a 3-1 victory over Germany on the opening day of the second
series here on Friday.
Japan, which lost all three of its matches in the first series
on its home turf, played an offense-oriented game against a
depleted Russian squad to score a 3-1 victory at the packed
Senayan Indoor Stadium.
Russia was playing without three key players -- Ekaterina
Gamova, Evguenia Artamonova and Elizaveta Tischenko, who could
not make it to Jakarta because of injuries they suffered in the
first series.
Despite missing the three players, Russia was able to
capitalize on early jitters by Japan to take the first game 25-
12.
The Japanese women began to pick up the pace at the start of
the second game, forcing the Russians into a series of mistakes
in front of the net.
Backed by more than 1,000 chanting supporters, the Japanese
team, spearheaded by spikers Megumi Kurihara and Ai Otomo, ran
rampant with deft smashes, leaving the Russian side helpless to
respond. Last year's best blocker Anastasia Belikova and captain
Alexandra Korukovets failed to inspire their teammates on
defense.
Japan took the next two games 25-20 and 25-19.
The fourth game was a tighter affair, with the two teams
fighting it out point by point. Russia looked to be in charge
when it took a 22-20 lead, but the spirited Japanese women
battled back to win the game 27-25 and seal the match.
Japanese head coach Shoici Yanagimoto told reporters during a
postmatch press conference that the victory over the depleted
Russian side was hard-fought.
"We lost the first game but we learned how to change a defeat
into a victory," Yanagimoto said.
He said his team's leader Ikumi Narita was under pressure the
entire match and did not perform well during the first game. He
also mentioned the height factor as being an advantage for the
Russians, most of whose players are over 190 centimeters tall.
The win avenged Japan's earlier defeat to Russia in the first
series.
Russia's manager Mikhail Omelchenko said Japan played really
good and the Russian players did not show their true character in
the match.
Later in the day, Ruiz Luaces Yumilka led her Cuban teammates
to a 25-19, 25-16, 18-25, 25-20 victory over Germany.
Led by powerful smashes, the Cubans stormed past Germany in
the first game of the match.
Cuba again stormed out to a quick lead in the second game, but
behind some impressive blocks and smashes Germany was able to
close the gap at 12-11 before faltering and watching the Cubans
race past to win the second game.
Germany regrouped in the third game, helped by Cuban mistakes
on several critical points.
Cuba steadied themselves to win the fourth game 25-20 and take
the match.
German coach Lee Hee-wan of South Korea said Cuba was a strong
team and deserved to win the match.
"But I was also satisfied with my team as we were able to
fight it our for every point," he said.
Saturday's matches will pit Germany against Japan and Russia
against Cuba.