South Korea and Thailand have their work cut out for them, as they have only combined for one win so far in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League. Thailand are 15th in the standings at 1-3, whereas South Korea join Serbia at the bottom at 0-4 after Week 1. Both Asian countries hope that Week 2 will be much different. Thailand will continue their campaign in Hong Kong, while South Korea will head to Istanbul.
On the other hand, Japan, Turkey, and defending champions Italy enter Week 2 in high spirits, as they remain undefeated this year. All of them boast 4-0 records, with Poland and Brazil right behind them at 3-1. Germany, China, and the Netherlands are holding on to the three final round spots, and they have the same record as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the Dominican Republic (2-2).
Learn more about the top matches to look forward to in Week 2 by reading today’s SBOTOP preview.
Thailand vs Japan
The Volleyball Nations League 2025 odds predict a lopsided contest between Thailand and Japan, considering the contrasting forms between these two sides. Japan are undefeated and have never dropped a set, while Thailand lost their first three matches before ending Week 1 with a timely victory, carrying some momentum ahead of Week 2.
Japan swept the Netherlands, Serbia, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. Yukiko Wada, Yoshino Sato, and team captain Mayu Ishikawa led Ferhat Akbas’ side to a dominant start, with Wada accumulating 59 points (57 kills, one block, and one ace), Yoshino recording 58 points (49 kills and nine aces), and Ishikawa adding 54 points (48 kills and six aces). Thailand will have their hands full in dealing with this dangerous trio tomorrow.
As mentioned, reigning Asian champions Thailand managed to leave Beijing with a 3-1 (25-14, 19-25, 25-23, 25-13) victory over France. Star opposite Pimpichaya Kokram led the way with 19 points (16 kills, two blocks, and one ace), and outside hitter Warisara Seetaloed added 16 points (14 kills and two aces).
“We went through some difficult moments during the match, but we managed to find solutions for them,” setter Pornpun Guedpard said. “The first week is always complicated as we’re still figuring things out, but we handled it very well from a mental standpoint. I joined the team just one week ago and didn’t have much time to practice. I think we have a really good team, and we’ll get better with more time together.”
Pimpichaya is among the competition’s top scorers with 67 points (63 kills, three blocks, and one ace) in Week 1, which is nearly double that of their second-leading scorer Donphon Sinpho (34 points – 31 kills, one block, two aces). That only goes to show how good the 27-year-old is at generating Volleyball Nations League 2025 highlights.
Korea vs Canada
South Korea desperately need a win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the final round alive. They dropped their first four matches against Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and the USA, winning only two sets out of a possible 12.
Fernando Morales came close to winning their first match of the tournament against the Czech Republic last June 8 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. South Korea raced to a 2-1 lead but capitulated in Sets 4 and 5, losing 3-2 (25-17, 17-25, 25-21, 9-25, 9-15). Outside hitter and team captain Kang So-Hwi produced 17 points (16 kills and one block), and outside Lee Seon-Woo added 15 points (11 kills, two blocks, and two aces) in the losing effort. So-Hwi is among the league’s top scorers with 37 points (34 kills, two blocks, and one ace).
Opposite Monika Brancuska played a key role in Czechia’s rousing comeback win, registering a team-high 17 points (14 kills and three blocks). Middle blocker Magdalena Jehlarova also had a strong performance, contributing 15 points (12 kills and three blocks).
Canada are fresh from a 3-2 (20-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-12) comeback win over Serbia to round out their Week 1 schedule. Opposite and team captain Kiera Van Ryk delivered an outstanding performance, recording 34 points (24 kills, one block, and nine aces), and outside hitters Andrea Mitrovic and Hilary Johnson scored nine points each.
Van Ryk is the competition’s second-leading scorer with a whopping 89 points (69 kills, five blocks, and 15 aces), which is more than double that of their second-leading scorer, Hilary Johnson (41 points – 36 kills, three blocks, and two aces). Van Ryk only trails two points behind Turkey’s star opposite Aleksia Karutasu (91 points – 73 kills, eight blocks, and 10 aces).
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