Japan failed to overcome its height disadvantage as the host country suffered a 25-12, 18-25, 21-25, 25-23, 13-15 loss to Russia on Sunday on the second day of the FIVB Women's World Cup at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
Japan is now 1-1 while Russia stayed undefeated with a 2-0 record.
Japan figured the best way to take on Russia, which has the tallest average height among the 12 competing nations at 187 cm per player, was not to let the opponent take advantage of its height.