Japanese Volleyball Team Almost Lost... AND THEN THIS HAPPENED !!!

Japanese Volleyball Team Almost Lost... AND THEN THIS HAPPENED !!! Five match points. Five escapes. One incredible Japanese comeback! Japan and Serbia delivered a dramatic five-set battle in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League 2026, with Japan surviving the brink of defeat before taking control in the deciding set.

Played on June 17, 2026, in Pasig City, Philippines, during Week 2 of the preliminary phase, the match ended with Japan winning 3–2: 20–25, 26–24, 18–25, 32–30, 15–7. Japan twice fought back from a set behind to protect its unbeaten start to the tournament.

Serbia took the opening set 25–20, but Japan answered with a hard-fought 26–24 victory in the second. Serbia regained control in the third, using its powerful attack and tall block to win 25–18 and move within one set of victory.

Then came the unforgettable fourth set. Japan reached 24–22 and had two set points to force a tiebreak, but Serbia fought back, erased both opportunities, and turned the situation around. Suddenly, Japan was facing match point.

At 24–25, a Serbian service error kept Japan alive. What followed was a tense battle in which Serbia earned five match points in total, yet Japan refused to surrender. These opportunities came throughout the extended closing stages, with Japan repeatedly finding a way to survive. Mayu Ishikawa and Yukiko Wada delivered crucial attacks under enormous pressure, keeping the comeback alive.

Haruyo Shimamura stepped up in the final moments. Her running attack brought Japan level at 30–30, before her block against Anja Zubić put Japan ahead 31–30. Japan secured the next point to win the extraordinary fourth set 32–30. After saving five match points, the Japanese team had forced a fifth set!

Japan carried that momentum into the decider. Wada scored consecutive attacks to establish a 7–4 lead, then added a back-row drop shot to make it 8–5 at the change of ends. Japan continued pushing forward, extending the advantage to 10–5.

Shimamura’s quick attack and consecutive service aces from Yoshino Sato helped Japan stretch the lead to 13–5. Finally, captain Mayu Ishikawa hammered down the winning spike, completing a commanding 15–7 fifth set and sealing a remarkable 3–2 victory.

Ishikawa led all scorers with 24 points, including 23 attack points and one block. Wada contributed 20 points, all from attacks, giving Japan’s leading duo a combined 44 points.

For Serbia, Aleksandra Uzelac scored 21 points through 19 attacks and two aces, while Nina Čajić added 18 points, including 16 attacks, one block, and one ace. Their performances helped Serbia push Japan to the limit, but the Japanese comeback ultimately decided the match.

The victory improved Japan’s record to a perfect 5–0, with 13 standings points and second place behind Brazil at that stage of the competition. From facing five match points to celebrating victory, Japan produced an unforgettable display of resilience, composure, and teamwork.

Watch the highlights of this incredible Japan vs Serbia battle, and subscribe to Power Volleyball for more spectacular matches, dramatic comebacks, and the best volleyball action!