Ran Takahashi and Yuki Ishikawa address what went wrong and what must be done after Japan absorbed a three-set shocker to Turkiye in the FIVB Men's World Championship.
Over 7,000 fans flocked to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 13, to support crowd favorite Japan at the start of the FIVB Men's World Championship.
They got a shock instead as the World No. 5 Japan absorbed a 19-25, 23-25, 19-25 loss to World No. 16 Turkiye.
What happened?
[ALSO READ: FIVB: Turkiye coach Slobodan Kovac makes statement win vs Japan on his birthday]
"Today, our reception and defense [were] not good. But next game, we have to push more aggressive for the defense and reception," outside hitter Ran Takahashi told the media after the match. He had four attack points.
"We were not able to to keep to keep the reception and to be efficient in attack. So at this point, it was difficult," coach Laurent Tillie told Volleyball World. "So we try to to stay on the game, try to take more risk in service. But even after defense, we were not able to score."
One of the major changes was the absence of veteran setter Masahiro Sekita, who is recovering from a right ankle surgery, as well as Yuji Nishida--who has taken a year off to recover.
But for Japan, they have to shake it off and shake things up.
"First thing is we have to change our mind for the next game," Ran emphasized. "For sure, the feeling is different. The set-up has changed, the level has always changed, the middle block has changed. But we have to, you know, always make a team. One team."
[ALSO READ: Türkiye sweeps Japan in straight sets to open FIVB Men’s World Championship campaign]
"We have to change our minds," emphasized captain Yuki Ishikawa, who had 10 attack points. "We are super young here and yeah, we can approach the changes and we are trying to make things better."
@onesportsphl ‘WE’RE VERY HAPPY TO PLAY IN FRONT OF THE FILIPINO FANS.” 🤗 Team captain Yuki Ishikawa remains grateful for the lively support of the Filipino fans, even following a difficult straight-set loss in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship against Turkiye. | via Aivan Episcope/One Sports #MWCH2025 #Philippines2025
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On Monday, Japan faces Canada, which survived a four-set challenge from upstart Libya.
For one thing, Ran wants to make the crowd proud.
"I just want to say I appreciate for the Philippine fans. But I just want to say keep supporting for us. And I want to win in front of them," he said. "I will do my best in front of them. And I just want to show them our win."
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | 32 teams compete in 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship]
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, Aivan Episcope/One Sports Digital)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.