Turkey took benefit of an undermanned Japan squad to tug off a surprising 25-19, 25-23, 25-19 victory as Pool G motion of the 2025 FIVB Males’s Volleyball World Championship kicked off on Saturday on the Good Araneta Coliseum.
The world No. 16 Turkish aspect leaned on the tandem of Ramazan Mandiraci and Adis Lagumdžija to shock the Japanese squad, which was lacking a number of stars, together with Yuji Nishida, Masahiro Sekita, and Akihiro Yamauchi.
The 23-year-old Mandiraci torched Japan from the service line, ending with 17 factors constructed on 10 assaults, 5 aces, and two blocks, whereas reverse hitter Lagumdžija backed him up with 15 markers.
With their backs towards the wall, Japan put up a gallant stand within the third set, with Ran Takahashi tying the sport at 13-all. However Turkey capitalized on Japan’s errors, because the latter dedicated three pricey infractions, permitting the Turks to go on a 6-1 run for a 19-14 cushion.
Lagumdžija then unleashed a fireball from the alternative aspect earlier than Mandiraci’s personal kill prolonged the result in 22-17.
Veteran center blocker Marko Matic delivered a fast kill, adopted by one other ace from Mandirai to convey Turkey to match level at 24-18.
Japan tried to mount a determined rally after Mandiraci dedicated a service error, however Masato Kai missed his function properly, sealing Turkey’s sweep victory.
Kento Miyaura and crew captain Yuki Ishikawa led Japan with 13 and 10 factors, respectively, whereas Takahashi was restricted to simply 4 markers.
Within the opening sport, Canada overcame a gradual begin to eke out a 22-25, 25-20, 25-12, 29-27 win over gritty Libya, behind the duo of Sharone Vernon-Evans and Nicholas Hoag.
Vernon-Evans poured in 22 factors off 16 assaults, three blocks, and three aces, whereas Hoag added 20 markers to assist world No. 11 Canada cruise to a 1-0 begin within the loaded Pool G.
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information