Japan 🇯🇵 vs. Thailand 🇹🇭 - Highlights | Week 3 | Women's VNL 2026

Thailand in the red serving as Japan in the white receiving for this ACM Women's Volleyball Nations League here in Osaka, Japan. It's week three, day two and it is a point for Japan. They're up and running. Is it ready? Top swing. I'm excited to see the, it's not a direct matchup, but to see Wada and Pina both playing in this game, two mid-level organized in transition. Japan's back row attack has become a real weapon for them. They're not always going to have a... It's a very good serve. Part of the block, Japan not asking for anything just yet. They don't need to. They've won the point. They've taken the set 25-15. They lead by one set to nothing. They love their volleyball. They love their national team, but they love great volleyball. They UNR their way through point after point. I've been delighted by both teams, excited by both teams. I'm very happy that their team has the first set. In the end it was Japan doing it out of canter as a result of consistent hard work. If you leave Thailand any opportunity, they will hang with you. Set two underway, Japan leading 1-0. Sakai with the serve. Oh, what a cut. Here she cowards, half stick. Sakai goes with the one hand option. Brilliant joust at the net and then great save, but it's everybody moving, everybody grooving and Wada taking the point. Nice. Oh, that's such a good set. Oh, Tamaki block is just too good, but the defense, the coverage, Hina Panoy is playing so well. Three in it. Get off this rotation, A-S-A, Wada. Here's Shikawa. Good serve. Free ball, Japan. Three front row options. Wada does well not to go under the net. Tricky one for Thailand. And that is a fabulous hit. Vin Pachaya sorts it all out. Needed to be. Oh no, timing's wrong. Free ball, Japan. Trouble for Thailand here. They're able to keep the ball in play, but they may not. Of course, the court, was there a touch on the way through? They're going to be a challenge for a block touch. You pay me a lot of money to do that. Away we go then, set number three. Will it be the last set? Us volleyball purists hope not. Those who support Thailand hope not. Here's Shikawa. They've got a little piece of the I say, what a dig. Hina, yet again, keeping the ball off the floor. Thailand scrambling well. It's free ball now, though, for Japan. Oh, that's such a good play. It's just taken Sato out, but not Wada. However, Thailand can come again. Hoping for a big finish for Thailand, but no, Japan shuts it all down with their block. Thailand looking really disciplined with their defensive position. Upmates and players who's played against all the season in the SVU. Sato going after the block, not much as she could do, but here's another chance. What a pick up. Another chance for Thailand. How many more are they going to need? I say, the defense is off the charts. We're still going. Not anymore. That is the best hit of the Charapon of the night, and she gets the point for Thailand. Fantastic finish. Kitty Apong takes a step out on the court to congratulate his team. That is a brilliantly constructed rally from Thailand. The inside 10 is such a great play. It's the movement in relation to the middle approach. We see Yamada draw Shimomura with the serve. It's a little too tight. Now there's a chance. Here's Shikawa. No good. It's into the net and not caught the block, barring a challenge. There we go. Right. It's too... Oh, I don't know. Well, see that angle is no good. The wrestling has been fantastic from Thailand in this set. Another opportunity for the side out, but that's not happening. Now a swing for the set for Thailand. Have they done it? Mipuchaya has done. Squishes it to the line. Thailand take the set 25-22. Get into a winning situation, unable to finish it off. They have literally pinched the set away from Japan. They've come away with the chocolates. They really have. Got a few more to do now. The thing is, they did exactly what they've been unable to do for most of this year. It's back underway. Is Japan going to be able to respond? That's another good question. I think that we will find out. And one that I think Acklash will be looking forward to seeing how his team do respond. Good up. Really good up. Right against Doug. And can't make a dig in return. The head of Thailand. Breaks the whole set open for them again. Self cover. There's another go. That catch some of the block. The referee says yes. Look at this now. Japan have got another chance. Oh, what a pick up. This is incredible. The ball is moving around like it's on a pinball table. And it still struggles to find the floor. And when it does, Thailand have their break point. They're back level. It's immense. Ishikawa with the serve. Match point Japan. Good up Fukudomi. Swing chance for Japan. Sato for the match. Still can't find a way through Thailand. Pimpichaya. Oh, what an up from Sakai. Another swing for the match. Oh no. Just wide. So close. But they're looking for a touch. How about no. Lovely ball Kojima. Sato has done it. Japan have won it. They have beaten Thailand by three sets to one. A massive win for Japan in their bid to make it to the finals.