Japan coach Shoichi Yanagimoto said his national team charges are peaking at the perfect time as the Women's Volleyball World Cup got under way on Friday.
The host nation, ranked seventh in the world, beat the Dominican Republic at Tokyo' Metropolitan Gymnasium 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 in their opening match of the Nov. 2-16 tournament.
"I think our team condition is getting better and better, day by day. I became head coach in 2003 and I have tried using a variety of players, especially in the last two years, to play different styles of volleyball," said Yanagimoto.