Japan 🇯🇵 vs. Belgium 🇧🇪 - Highlights | Week 3 | Men's VNL 2026

Japan in white serving. Belgium in red receiving for this ACM Volleyball Nations League. With three action here in Osaka, Japan. And that is a nice side out start for Belgium. Otsuka and Yamauchi available in the front row for this side out for Japan. Hasn't worked. It's kept in play. But a better chance now for Japan. Before Otsuka. And he makes sure of it. Otsuka once again. Oh, that is a monster block against Regas. Pass. Side out. As easy as that. Oh, that was a bit on the catch side. But the play continues. Block is made. And Nishimoto strikes. Hello, Moto. And mentality right for this one. Oh, I say, what a block that is. Otsuka shuts down Regas. The best of passes from Kai. Made up for it. That's OK. And that's what you do as an outside hitter. Simple and digestible side out. Kai to the rescue. Kai with the serve. Solid play there from Otsuka. He's putting plays in. He is. He really is. But then nobody's covering behind Fukatsu. Did they have that much faith in him getting up to put the ball on the floor? They must have believed in Hideyomi Fukatsu that he was going to score on that swing. Great defense in the scene. Lovely one. Valdez. Still keeping themselves in a good position. Yes, he can. The team. Boran. For the magic number for Japan. This is how it was done. Oh, it's so tricky, though. Because the ball's coming right over the top of Valdez. And Leydens has not got a good view of that, really. Belgium have stayed really compact in that reception pattern as well. Willing to give up the sidelines. Don't want to give up the middle of the court. Doesn't leave a lot of space for the receivers to move. Away we go. Set number two. Japan leading 1-0. And by one point to nothing. In series 36. Onodera 30 and Ishikawa 30. The rest of the game looks like the peak of their volleys. What the next generation of Japanese volleyball is going to look like. Good touch. Who's going to place... Who's the next Nishida Miura? Who's the next Ishikawa? Who's the next Takashi Ran? I mean, Takashi Ran's only 24. So who's the next Ishikawa to come in? That is the challenge. Mavrasky. And side out. Serve again. Belgium just struggling on these jump serves. Get the setter. Keep the setter on the net. Oh, yes. That's a good serve. Good save. Free ball. A little bit of confusion as to who's going to take it. But no question as to who's going to finish it off. Well played, Regas. In this week's VML. A little off with his passing. Nothing wrong with Kai's attacking though. Back here in Osaka. Same goes for Yamauchi, who's also on court. And that's what you want as a coach, isn't it? Not the best set. Free ball for Belgium. Regas. Oh, I say Yamamoto took that one off the shoulder. He's been quiet for a bit. Otsuka. Good ball in. That's nice. That's more likely from Belgium. Not an ace this time. Set swap for net. Doesn't matter for Regas. Goodness me. You can really see Van Huygen's serve again. But he can't follow up from the last one. And the set goes to Japan. 25-22. Ball from set number two. And away we go then. Set number three. Nishimoto serving. Japan leading two sets to nothing. A little bit of confusion as to who's going to take the first ball. But they're able to rectify the situation. Lovely block from Belgium. Regas do it again. Oh, he goes the other side this time. Puts Yamamoto under pressure. Oh, what a block. This is the start. Fun for Kai. Catch swap for net. But then he's able to dispatch it. He's hit very well. Apart from the one block he had. Yamauchi. Easy one for Betens. And the first swing for Boutdier. Running the pipe. It's the swerve. With the serve. A swipe from Betens. And a swing from Kai. Yamauchi with his serve. Ball is done. Ladies. Naki is going after Kai. That leaves Miura free to have the swing. A serve. Masato Kai. Good pass there from Lansop. Can't get the swing they want. And neither can Otsuka. Lovely block from Regas. He just wanged up. Picked his spot. And then snotted it. Oh, yes. Yamamoto with a chicken wing. And that's worked off the block to perfection. Regas is unlucky. Okatsu. Lansop, good pass. Okatsu. Oh, that's a set. Still in the rally. Not anymore. Yamauchi with a monster. Might put a bit of added pressure on. Right now. Keep the side out. That's a good ball. Well, the block is perfect. Thought he might have gone to bout again. Actually, it was in a good spot to do so. He's done a power of work already this week. Yamauchi. Well, he just about got that. It's quite high for Badr. He put the aura in the aura. And now he's going to get to serve. And he's got himself an ace. That's five behind. Is that in? That is with Regas. Regas is going. He's made his ABS now. Oh, touch. And again. That's crazy good. Japan thought they won the point. Oh, yes. Okatsu. Oh, yes. Monster. The monster is the blocks for Yamauchi. And that is it. It's all over. That deer can't find the court. Japan have taken it 25-16. And quite remarkably.