Dominican Republic vs. Japan | Pool A | Mon 8/2 6:40am ET

[trojansc]

Live Stream: stream.nbcolympics.com/volleyball-womens-prelim-match-29-japan-dominican-republic

Live Stats: olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/volleyball/result-women-gpa-001400-.htm

We already know 7 of 8 teams who have advanced to the Quarterfinals. This is a simple winner-take-all match to advance to the Quarterfinals to see who rounds out that grouping.

Koga actually returned in the last match for Japan and took 70(!) swings in an effort to try to beat South Korea. Japan despite having two match points against South Korea came up just short and have now found themselves in a do-or-die match with Dominican Republic. DR came back and pushed Brazil and South Korea both to five sets, but fell just short as well. It will be interesting to see if Koga can carry the load and out-duel Brayelin Martinez, who was rested and did not play against Kenya.

Tokyo 2021 results by team:
DOM: 0-3 SRB, 2-3 BRA, 2-3 KOR, 3-0 KEN
JPN: 0-3 SRB, 0-3 BRA, 2-3 KOR, 3-0 KEN

Recent Results in Matches between Japan and Dominican Republic:

2021 VNL 3-2 JPN
2019 VNL 3-2 DOM
2018 WCh 3-2 JPN
2018 VNL 3-2 JPN

[Deleted]

Gonna go out on a limb and say it’s going 5 sets

[midnightblue]

this REEKS of 5 sets.

[chatchu-off moksri]

This is more of a post-Olympics question, but if Japan ends up losing this match, does Nakada keep her job? Idk if Japan just isn't producing the same type of volleyball players as they used to, but I feel like they haven't been able to get anywhere near their 2012 London level of performance as a team. That traditional Japanese passing and defense is just not there anymore, IMO.

[trojansc]

Jul 31, 2021 12:30:31 GMT -5 @madden54 said:

Gonna go out on a limb and say it’s going 5 sets

ok fine, I added a poll for ya'll

[trojansc]

Jul 31, 2021 12:47:54 GMT -5 chatchu-off moksri said:

Japan ends up losing this match

Thank you!

KYK is one of De La Cruz' favorites, so, we were on your side there. Now to eliminate Japan and have Korea stand alone as the premier Asian club.

[chatchu-off moksri]

Jul 31, 2021 13:03:53 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Jul 31, 2021 12:47:54 GMT -5 chatchu-off moksri said:

Japan ends up losing this match

Thank you!

KYK is one of De La Cruz' favorites, so, we were on your side there. Now to eliminate Japan and have Korea stand alone as the premier Asian club.

Most people thought Korea wouldn't even make it out of pool play, but now they are potentially the only Asian team standing...It's crazy! Definitely rooting for DR to take the win tomorrow.

Imagine if Korea sneaks their way into the semis...the chaos on this board!!!!

[bumpsetsonly]

Why is there even a “no” option in the poll it should just be two yeses 😂

[c4ndlelight]

2 people think this isn't going 5?

Do they not understand the DR magic/curse?

[trojansc]

Japan's indoor team on the men's side was pushed into a winner-take all with Iran and they won 15-13 in the 5th to advance.

[trojansc]

Well, it is official, the winner of this match will earn a ticket to the quarterfinals to play the Pool of Death Champions United States.

[fireandwater]

Kogu is back, i'm rooting for Japan in this one.

[binsoy]

I don't know what I can't stand more, the ungodly start times or all those forking ads.

[trojansc]

~30 minutes out!

No matter who wins, they will be a massive underdog against USA. But, USA may be without 2 of the Jordan's (Thompson and Poulter). DR and Japan also have pretty much as opposite style-of-plays / strengths and weaknesses as there could possibly be. I think that's why these two in particular seem to have such tightly contested matches. In the VNL, Japan was excellent at 1st contact and they served very well and were able to avoid Castillo. Koga had a big day, Brayelin had a huge day.

I'm nervous!

[trojansc]

No Brayelin starting for DR...

Marte / Gonzales
De la Cruz / Rivera
Eve / Jineiry
Castillo

Ishikawa/Koga
Kurogo/Momii
Shimamura/Araki
Kobata