Japan - Yugoslavia 0-3

Osaka, JAPAN, July 28 (fivb.ch) - Japan started the second match (first match: 3-0 for Yugoslavia) against the Olympic champions in Osaka with calmness. However, Yugoslavia led by Nikola GRBIC, an experienced and tactical setter, not suffering from jetlag any more, overpowered Japan and won the first set by 25-17.

Japan supported by cheering fans showed powerful offensive plays. But after the first time out, Yugoslavia scored 4 successive points with intimidating spikes and caught up with Japan, and always went several points ahead in the second set. In Osaka Chuo Gym, spectators were excited by many remarkable rallies. The Balkan squad clinched the second set with MILJKOVIC's strong spike by 25-22.

In the third set, after Japan equalized the score to 12-12, spectators were enthralled by powerful spikes, good digging and blocking of both teams. Japan took advantage of the substitution of setter of Yugoslavia and successfully performed in attacking to gain points to the score of 23-19. But they wasted the 4-point lead with their opponent effective blocking. Yugoslavia won the set by 30-28 and Japan ended in the tenth consecutive loss in the Intercontinental Round of the 2002 World League.

Current standings

Group A

                  G  W  L  Pts
1. Brazil        10  7  3   17
2. Poland        10  6  4   16  
3. Argentina     10  4  6   14
4. Portugal      10  3  7   13 

Group B

                  G  W   L  Pts
1. Italy         10  9   1   19
2. Spain         10  8   2   18
3. China         10  3   7   13
4. Venezuela     10  0  10   10

Group C

                  G  W  L  Pts
1. Russia        10  9  1   19
2. Netherlands   10  7  3   17
3. Germany       10  2  8   12
4. Cuba          10  2  8   12 

Group D

                  G  W   L  Pts
1. France        10  8   2   18
2. Yugoslavia    10  7   3   17
3. Greece        10  5   5   15
4. Japan         10  0  10   10