Japan win the Asian Derby and move on to the quarterfinals

Three-time world champions Japan prevailed in the exciting Asian Derby held on the first day of the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship on Friday and will continue to represent the continent in the tournament after eliminating hosts Thailand.

Despite having the vast majority of the fans that packed the Huamark Indoor Stadium, in Bangkok, against them, the Japanese played consistently to secure a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-23) victory that extended their winning streak against their continental rivals to ten matches.

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The Japanese will now face the Netherlands, who also triumphed in a continental Derby on Friday, taking down two-time defending champions Serbia with a 3-2 (27-25, 26-24, 22-25, 20-25, 15-11) victory. Their quarterfinal encounter will be held on Wednesday.

Captain Mayu Ishikawa was Japan’s leading scorer against the Thais – the 25-year-old outside hitter produced 14 points, with 13 kills and one ace. Middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura, who scored 12 (nine kills, two aces, one block), and opposite Yukiko Wada, who contributed 11 (all in kills), also played pivotal roles in the team’s successful performance.

“They’re a great team,” Shimamura reacted. “We had some really long rallies, and we never gave up and tried to do our best in each point. Winning today was big for us. Our goal here is to win a medal, and we’re one step closer. Now we’ll focus on the next match and try to do our best again.”

Thailand had outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri, who registered 12 points (ten kills, one block, one ace), and opposite Pimpichaya Kokram, who tallied 11 (nine kills, two blocks), as their most productive players in their last match in the tournament.

“This was a key match for us, because if we got to the next round, that would be huge,” team captain Ajcharaporn Kongyot reflected. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t do it, but I’m very proud of the team, we held each other and worked together to play our best. I also need to thank our fans, who came here and supported us all these days.”

Japan outscored Thailand in kills (47 to 40) and aces (four to one), besides giving up fewer points in errors (20 to 22). Thailand had the edge in blocks, winning the battle at the net by five points to two.

2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship: full schedule and results

Two more Round of 16 matches will be held on Saturday in Bangkok, with Olympic champions Italy playing fellow Europeans Germany at 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT) and Poland battling Belgium at 20:30 (13:30 GMT).

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