MATCH INFO

Hiroshima, Japan, November 8, 2011 - Japan v Algeria Press Conference: After picking up an easy second win versus a relatively inexperienced Algeria team, Japan took an opportunity to rest a few key players.

Japan coach Masayosi Manabe: Today we used many bench players to give them a chance to play in a big match like this. They all did well.

On Saori Sakoda: She had great back spikes, and her spiking average is very high but less effective. That’s her challenge and she needs to reduce errors.

Japan player Saori Sakoda: I make a lot of spiking errors and so I’d like to improve in that area. But through the match, I had good advice from team mates and the coaching staff, and that helped a lot.

Japan player Maiko Kano: Today we were focused on playing our style of volleyball. This is the first time for me to start, and I was a little nervous. That feeling made me play a little jittery, but in the next match I’d like to do my best.

On previous injuries: No there’s no problem with my legs right now.

Algeria coach Ahmed Boukacem: This was not a good match, but our purpose today was primarily to experience a world class match. But having said that the result was unfortunate. We couldn’t cope with their strong attacking and serving. Of course they are a stronger team so we need to improve our receiving and defence.

On the possibility of not using a libero: Yes, that might be a possibility, however considering our weakness in receiving and defence, if I use that strategy maybe other players have to work hard to cover. Of course through this game I hoped that the libero would regain her form, but it didn’t work out that way unfortunately. It’s possible we could use that strategy in the future.

Algeria captain Fatima Zahra Oukazi (Mazori): Today was not a good game. Japan is much stronger and their serve was good, and in comparison our receiving was not so good. So because of this we could not control the game. In the third set we could cope a little bit better with their service and attack, but it was too late at that that point. We will do our best in the next match.