This Day Ran Takahashi Will Never Forget !!! The match between Japan and the Netherlands at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2021 became one of the most unforgettable battles of the tournament — and a night that changed everything for Ran Takahashi.
Japan found themselves on the edge of defeat, trailing 0–2 against a powerful Dutch side led by the unstoppable Nimir Abdel-Aziz. It looked like the match was slipping away… but what happened next shocked the entire volleyball world.
Ran Takahashi stepped onto the big stage and delivered a performance for the ages. With 26 points, fearless attacks, and ice-cold composure, he led Japan to an incredible comeback victory 3–2 (22–25, 23–25, 25–22, 25–17, 15–8). Every swing, every point, every moment — this was the match where a star was born.
On the other side, Nimir Abdel-Aziz showed why he is one of the most dangerous scorers in the world, finishing with 25 points and dominating the first two sets with pure power. But as the match went on, Japan adapted, defended, and turned the tide in dramatic fashion.
This wasn’t just a match — this was a story of heart, resilience, and the rise of a new volleyball hero.
From being two sets down… to complete domination in the final sets… Japan proved that no lead is safe and no fight is over until the last point.
THIS is the day Ran Takahashi announced himself to the world. THIS is one of the greatest comebacks in VNL history. THIS is volleyball at its absolute peak.
Namir Abdelaziz, eyeball outside for Japan, and they make their way through that big block.
Takahashi, will serve.
Namir!
Big swing over there, by Namir.
Cross, big swing.
Ball behind to Namir, off the hands of the block.
Big swing cross court, from number 21, Takahashi.
Free ball for Netherlands.
Oh, that's a big swing.
Massive spike down the line by Namir. Super spike!
Big solid serve.
Ball outside.
Takahashi.
And he will go back to serve.
Oh, that clipped again, but this time they're on it.
Namir, with a massive swing.
Namir, one of those players you can expect to just absolutely...
Netherlands in trouble, but Namir's there, and he will score.
From literally anywhere on the court.
Netherlands gonna be using him a lot, not only in this set, in this match.
Anytime they're on court together.
Big middle blocker at the line to serve.
Float serve deep, well handled by Japan.
Takahashi gets his point from the second line.
Shimizu will come back in off the bench.
Look at that swing, straight through the hole in the block.
From the backcourt, seized.
The first set, and the first point.
The ball in. High ball. Soft. Recycled.
Oh, but it's over the net.
And Namir, eating that up for breakfast.
Set from Takahashi.
Just a bit too tight.
Fuji.
Big swing, Namir.
And he knows it.
Super spike indeed.
From the backcourt.
Over a three-man block.
Under a three-man block, I should say.
Finding that slice right to the sideline.
They play such a fast offense.
High ball then.
Set over, setters out.
Rivera will set to Namir.
And he doesn't mind.
Whatsoever.
Any kind of ball you put in the air,
Namir will find a way to score it.
Exactly like that super spike.
Look, two blockers up.
Taking away.
Domingo with a strong serve.
Free ball.
Namir with a big swing, cross.
Tiny blocker in front of him in Sakita.
Takahashi.
Whoa!
Controlled by Japan.
Oh my gosh!
Takahashi!
Absolutely unloading from the backcourt.
The blockers at the net on the Netherlands side.
Scrambling.
De Weijer.
Tsuka.
The swing.
Big swing.
Namir pumping up his team
at the very business end of this set.
22-21.
He knows this is the moment
to either put your foot on the pedal.
Takahashi.
23-24.
Still set point for Netherlands.
High ball behind to Namir with a tip.
But he is so smart
when he plays the ball.
He can swing with power from anywhere.
But he can also.
Netherlands-Japan pushing them.
But it's points like this
at the last set point
where Namir shows his range.
Forcing the ball
through that two-man block.
He's so powerful.
When he changes direction
he can do anything he wants with the ball.
And that's exactly what he's done here.
Another player.
After this big serve.
Big swing.
Through the pipe.
Takahashi.
Finding his way
through that massive block.
Three hitters up.
Such a sharp.
Cuts it all the way.
Almost in the three-meter line.
Libero.
Leaning in the wrong direction.
Serve from Plac.
That is so fast.
Takahashi swinging that ball
almost before Plac
is even in his defensive spot.
You can see on the back of your screen.
He's still running over there.
Plac.
Top spin serve.
Well controlled by Japan.
Big swing from the backcourt.
Takahashi.
Yamamoto.
Happy with that one.
Off the hands of the Netherlands block.
Not able to control it.
So tied up.
Yamamoto.
Happy with that one.
Off the hands of the Netherlands block.
One point advantage.
Oh, that's the serve.
What are you waiting for?
Ace serve by Namir.
Massive swing.
Straight down between the Libero
and number 21 Takahashi.
Causing some confusion.
Finding the floor.
See if he targets.
And Namir with the swing this time.
Ball goes to Netherlands.
Namir looks pretty convinced it was good.
Well controlled.
Takahashi has his swing on it again.
Massive point scoring.
Takahashi.
So there will be a sub on court.
Netherlands.
Defense on the Japanese side.
Setting out of system.
Oh my goodness.
Super spike Takahashi.
Super duper spike.
So athletic.
Straight.
Oh, that is all credit to the setter.
My bad.
Zero block. Takahashi will take that.
12 is in for reception.
Another overpass. Free ball opportunity.
Japan coming in hot.
With Takahashi.
Super spike from the pipe.
Incredible.
Great serve.
Netherlands 8-14.
And it is out.
And Japan taking that set and that match.
The last point.
15-8.
On an error by the top scorer.
