Bangkok, Thailand, July 3, 2015 – Brazil overcame their first set fumble and bounced back in the succeeding sets to claim a 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-17, 27-25) triumph in Pool A of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix at the Huamark Indoor Stadium on Friday.
Gabi and Fe Garay led Brazil with 16 points each, while their team-mates Juciely, Carol and Joyce also managed to score in double figures. Miyu Nagaoka scored 15 points, followed by Haruyo Shimamuro with 14 points for Japan on a losing effort.
Japan stormed to win in the first 25-21 when Miyu Nagaoka shifted to high gear late in the set after holding on to a slim lead in the early stages of the set. Nagaoka continued with her attack onslaught but Brazil quickly recovered and tied the score at 4-all in the second set. Brazil paced better with a slim lead at 15-12 and extended it to 19-14 as they put on more pressure on the Japanese attackers with solid defence. Saori Kimura led the Japanese comeback at 20-all but the two crucial points scored by Brazil gave them another two-point lead, which drove the South Americans to secure the set 25-21.
The Brazilians led throughout the third set, extinguishing any fiery run by the Japanese side. Brazil took the third set 25-17. In the fourth set, Japan led in the early stages but Gabi headed the Brazilian offence to tie the score at 16-all. Brazil scored three more points for the 19-16 lead that forced Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe to call his second timeout. Brazil stretched their lead to 23-17. Japan still had some steam left and trailed within one 23-22 and tied the score 24-all. Brazil were more persistent and ended the match 27-25.
To see the match gallery, read the full match live commentary and post-match comments, visit the
match page.