Japan sweep hosts China at Men's Volleyball Nations League in Xi'an

Sixth-ranked Japan beat hosts China 25-23, 25-14, 25-22 at the FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Wednesday.

China held a lead midway through the third set, but failed to get back into the match, leaving coach Vital Heynen to lament missed opportunities.

"If you look at the details of the first set, we played very well. If you look at the statistics, we are better than Japan, but we don't use the chances," Heynen said. "We made a couple of unnecessary mistakes, and that's a pity. We were not playing smart enough, and we didn't play together as a team."

After dropping a close first set, self-inflicted mistakes helped China dig a deep hole in the second, and the hosts couldn't maintain their momentum after a strong start in the third.

"I was hoping we would play like we do in training – perfectly as a team, knowing each other well, and knowing what to do. But today I see a lot of mistakes in the team together. I guess it's the pressure. The pressure makes you start to doubt things we are doing on training, and that we have to find back," Heynen added.

On Thursday, China will face Serbia, who beat Türkiye 3-1 (12-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23) in their first match.

Top-ranked Poland started the Xi'an leg on the right foot, despite a slow start, overcoming the Netherlands 3-1.

Returning bronze medalists Poland were tested by the 13th-ranked Netherlands, who delivered a resilient performance and created several tense moments for the side sitting at the top of the world rankings.

The first set was knotted at 22-22, before Poland pulled away with three consecutive points to take it 25-22. In a near repeat in the second set, the two teams were again tied at 22-22, but this time the Netherlands seized the chance to claim the frame 25-22.

"We were leading in almost every set, but at times we lost our focus and allowed them back into the game," said Polish outside hitter Artur Szalpuk, who finished with a match-high 19 points.

The Dutchmen continued to press in the third and fourth sets, but the Poles remained composed during key moments, clinching both sets 25-22 to close out the contest.

"It was a tough game for us, because many players had their first match in the VNL. So for sure, it was a lot of emotion for them. It was a hard fight, but I think we played good and we took three points," Szalpuk added. "Now, we need to take a quick rest, because tomorrow we have another important game [against Japan]."