Japan powered past the Netherlands 25-23, 25-23, 25-21 in its last pool game of the women's volleyball world championship Sunday, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with Brazil.
Outside hitters Arisa Inoue and Mayu Ishikawa led Japan with 15 points each, and the team finished third in Pool E with seven wins and two losses.
Despite closing the second group phase on a high note, Inoue said world No. 6 Japan needed to tighten its defense for Tuesday's clash with No. 2 Brazil. The South American team finished second in the group, suffering just one defeat when Japan beat it 3-1 on Sept. 30.
"Our spikes were effective, but I personally want to fix the defensive side," Inoue said. "From now on, if we lose, it's over. I want us to keep our emotions under control and do our best."
Coach Masayoshi Manabe's team was guaranteed a quarterfinal berth — and a fifth-straight top-eight finish at worlds — when results of other group games went its way on Saturday.
World No. 1 Italy finished top of the group and will face fourth-place China in the last eight.
Serbia will play Poland and the United States will battle Turkey on the other side of the quarterfinal bracket.