MATCH INFO

Tokyo, Japan, May 20, 2012 - Japan routed Chinese Taipei in straight sets (25-16, 25-13, 25-14) on the second day of action in the FIVB Women's World Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym on Sunday.

A day after putting away Peru in straight sets, Japan did the same to Chinese Taipei with a virtual clinic of fine passing and teamwork.

Saori Kimura once again powered the Japan attack with a match-high 21 points. Erika Araki contributed 10 points. Chen Wang Ting and Teng Yen Min had eight points each for Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei was unable to deal with the comprehensive performance of third-ranked Japan on this night.

Japan established a 5-3 lead in the first set after a reception error by Chinese Taipei. A block by Teng put Chinese Taipei ahead 7-6. Chinese Taipei was up 8-7 on at the first TTO. Japan moved back in front 9-8 on spike by Kimura. With Japan leading 12-9, Chinese Taipei called a timeout. Chen Wang Ting drilled a spike to pull Chinese Taipei within 14-12. A reception error by Teng gave Japan a 16-12 margin at the second TTO. Chinese Taipei called a timeout trailing 18-12 after a nice dink by Kimura but it was apparent Japan had the upper hand. Japan went up 21-14 after a service error by Chinese Taipei. Mai Yamaguchi's spike moved Japan within three points of the set at 22-15. A service error made it set point for Japan at 24-16 and Wen I Tzu misplayed a pass as Japan took the set 25-16.

Chinese Taipei took a 5-4 lead in the second set on a spike by Teng. A sublime placement on a dink by Kimura made it 7-7 and Japan went into the first TTO with an 8-7 edge. A service ace by Kimura made the count 12-9 for Japan. A nice block by Erika Araki sent Japan into the second TTO with a 16-11 lead. Ebata's service ace made it 19-12 and Chinese Taipei tried to stop the surge with a timeout. Araki's service ace made it 21-13 as Japan drove to take the set. Kimura made a nice dig then took a return pass from a teammate and spiked for 23-13. Japan claimed the set 25-13 on one more spike by Kimura.

Kimura began the final set with a spike and the tone was set again. Japan moved ahead 5-3 on a service error by Chen Wang Ting. An extended rally ended with another Kimura spike and put Japan in front 7-3 as Chinese Taipei took a timeout. Japan was up 8-4 at the first TTO. A dink by Kanako Hirai made it 10-7. Lee Yi Ping sailed a serve long and Japan led 14-9. Saori Sakoda's spike gave Japan a seven-point lead at 16-9 at the second TTO. Araki's block made it 20-9 for Japan and the outcome was all but academic. A service ace by Maiko Kano gave Japan match point at 24-13 and they completed the win a final spike by Kimura.