Japan enjoyed a superior performance against Thailand
HONG KONG, China, July 18, 2015 - Japan beat Thailand 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-15) in Pool H, with a superior blocking and serving performance helping them claim maximum points. Saori Kimura and Miyu Nagaoka each scored a game-high 15 points for Japan.
Thailand enjoyed the early momentum and with Wilavan Apinyapong's crafty attacks, they worked their way to a 6-2 lead. Japan's block was working well though and with some strong attacking from Kimura, they overhauled the deficit and took the first set 25-19.
Kimura opened the second with an ace and despite some good spikes from the dangerous Onuma Sittirak and Thailand, Japan took control of the set. Kimura remained a threat and with a quick attack from Haruyo Shimamura they took the second 25-21.
Thailand stayed with Japan through the early stages of the third set but again Japan pulled away. Shimamura was blocking well and with Kimura serving another ace, they pushed in to a winning position and took the final set 25-15 and the match 3-0.
Read the live text commentary, view the stats and photo gallery from this match
here.