Matsumoto, JAPAN, May 11 - In the first set, Japan came out with plenty of enthusiasm against the Olympic champion, Yugoslav national team, inspiring the hometown fans with aces from captain Hosokawa and the hard-hitting spikes of Yamamoto.

The Yugoslav players began to take control over the middle part of the set, using a variety of jumping serves. Yugoslavia kept the pressure on behind the hard spikes of Ivan Miljkovic and their towering blocks at the net.

In the second set, Japan battled back behind the quick attacks of Asahi and Yamamoto and edged ahead briefly in the middle of the set. But Miljkovic drove home points from the back court that again provided the difference.

In the third set, Hosokawa, Asahi and Kawaura fought hard to avoid a straight sets loss. Japan reached the 20-point mark first.

Again, however, it was Miljkovic who led his team back. At 24-24, Miljkovic put Yugoslavia ahead with a jumping serve that darted through the Japanese defense for the go-ahead point and eventually the match.