Sarina Koga Dominated Against Thailand in Volleyball Nations League 2023 !!!

And that lands beautifully. Very clever from Koga. She's been racing in hard and fast from position 4, first part of this set. And this time she goes up really dynamically and then slows her arm down, drops it in the slot. Asian Championships a couple of years ago. That's a great serve. Well picked up as well by Piemut. And that's a great dig by Ishikawa. Too strong by Koga. And they're relentless at the moment, aren't they, Japan? Koga going over the top, yep, absolutely. They are here for business. And like I said, in the warm-up, I don't know if you're watching them, Jonathan, behind us, just before we did the preview, Japan's faces... Second. Just creeps over the net. Big hits, big block. That was just too easy for Japan that time. Blockers were right there. They didn't have to move. They just had to go up. A one-hand special from Koga. A powerful serve or a serve to make them think. That's in rotation around the system, rather. That's not a best one, but chance now for Seki. Hayashi goes for a tip. And that's, thank you very much indeed, 25.18. Seven points the margin. We were expecting more, given the dominance early on from Japan, but that is food for thought indeed for the home crowd and the home team. Well, right at the end of that, Thailand... That's a very low serve, and that's a wonderful serve by Koga. What a special, what an ace. She's been leading her team in all areas of the game, in spiking, in blocking, in serving. Just not in setting, but in everything else. Well, she was one of the players... That's a big hit. Wow, that one off the top, coaches laughing. I don't know whether Tsubasa is laughing or not, but... All smiles on the Thai team. Oh, she's got the ice pack on. What's this? She caught that. And that's a Koga special. That's going to hurt. Ishika, what a good server she is. Mixing it up. Oh, that's a lovely block. Big point for Japan that one, I think, at this point of the set. Just reminding Thailand that they're still there. They've got Koga on the frontcourt. That's a low serve, and it's an ace from Koga. And this is how you start set three, having taken the first two sets. With a wonderful winning swing, and then an ace with the biggest smile in this arena. Just loves playing. And yes, it's Koga. Top score in the match with 12. She's come back on... ...not talk about volleyball, or just keep each other entertained. Oh, what a great block. That's another point, and Koga. You can see who's top of the men's, can't you? In the men's BNL, Mishida. They probably just talk about all the great things that they do, and how can we do even better. Second swings, it's a Koga. And she just says, when we put it away, not a problem. Just measures it, such experience. What a set as well. The set's coming from so far away. The ball hitting the ground on the Thai side. I don't think Pompa's in a good way, actually. I think she is now. She's struggling on her left ankle. She landed awkwardly. She's holding her calf muscles tight, as I was saying at the end. Could be going to five. That's what the Thai crowd want. Little touch, well read. Spread to Sudatta. Doesn't get it to ground. Simple for Pimpichaya. And now, doesn't get the chance for a big hit, Tetsuwan. Oh, and that's going to go down. And Koga's done it again. She's right-handed, but a bit of improvisation. And the four, the fab seven think, what can we do? Malika Onuma, the frustrations. They can feel the pain of the crowd. They know what it's like. They wanted to see them win. Hataya just... She's saying Hataya just wasn't ready. Again, they've stolen another point. Closing in on 25, and a clean sweep. Is she ready for that one? Here's Koga. Oh, it's a big hit, but that's a great pick-up by Tetsuwan. Sudatta's not getting it through at the moment. Still quite high. Easy for the defence. And again, doesn't get through the block this time. Still can't get it to ground. Is he sour? OK, overpass. That wasn't the best set at all for Sudatta. And Koga finds the hole, finds the space, and that could be the decisive shot which turns this match decisively for Japan. Koga has had an unbelievable match, an unbelievable week here in Bangkok. And the coach there... ...have seen for a long time. ...to bring. Tetsuwan has served. Ishikawa is there, but Tetsuwan has to leap, and does so, and Pichai will keep it in play. Another good block, and still in play. They rise again. Janoskon doesn't go to ground. Ooh, pancake. And that's not the best pass, but at least it's still in play. Thailand reassembled. Transition. And then Yamada takes the point tellingly. Well, watching that rally, we were just all waiting for something to happen with Yamada. She was waiting for an opportunity to get a hit, because every time this went outside for Japan, it was dug, and there she had her opportunity. Honpud read that from Ishikawa. Very close. Ishikawa almost went into the net. Here's a chance then. Backcourt attack. And she sent it too long again. Tetsuwan, that had to be in. Just trying a little bit too hard, getting a little bit too excited. This is where they just need to settle. A game of chase. Pattaya. Calmly read by Seki. Is it up? It's still up indeed. Nishimura. And Seki together. And once more the wonderful defence of Japan. They're in system. And then it's Gallup! Oh, two players taken out. Only four on the court there. And you just hope as they run into each other, that they're all right. All eyes on the ball, not each other. That was another wonderful set from Honpud, but unfortunately, there was a little bit of a clash next to each other, and nobody there to sit there. So we resume with Tsutata, the outside hitter. Pulled up. Hayashi. Nice foot to play. Tetsuwan. Well met by Hayashi, who's quickly down, and that's a wonderful pick-up by Hewlett. And another classic rally. Blocks, defence. Kogut goes for it again, but still can't get to the block. Hayashi goes for the tip. Doesn't work. Spread wide. Still it won't get through. Good defence from Ishikawa. And then down the line. How did she squeeze that through? Hayashi. The angle looked so acute. She got it past Pumpkin. And that was painful for the coach, as much as all the crowd. Kogut is waiting. Hayashi tries to send that down. Big hit. Hayashi tries to keep that in place. Seki rescues it. Hayashi again wants more. Careful not to touch the net. Ishikawa sends it. Does she get a touch? The referee says yes. Is there a challenge? Not at the moment. No challenge at all. And that is the second set to Japan, and they lead Thailand in front of this passionate home crowd by two sets to zero. Seki sends it out. And then Ishikawa, who has been quietly accumulating points.