HIROSHIMA, Japan — Kunhiro Shimizu scored 14 points as Japan downed Canada in three sets at the men’s volleyball World Cup on Saturday.
Shimizu had two blocks, one ace and 11 spikes in the 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 victory.
Gavin Schmitt had nine points for the Canadians while Steven Marshall added seven.
"They (Japan) outplayed us in all aspects — if you look at blocking, serving, attacking, receiving — so there’s not much to say," Canada’s coach Glenn Hoag said.
"We were dominated, we lack patience."
The first two sets appeared to be write offs for the Canadians, but it was a more even affair in the third.
"Our offensive rhythm just isn’t there … Actually, it was embarrassing to lose like that in front of all those people," Canada’s captain Fred Winters said.
"We have to find a way to play better because we have seven more matches to go in this tournament."
The Canadians are 1-3 so far at the World Cup and face Australia on Sunday. Australia picked up its first win with a 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13 victory against Egypt.
The United States remained unbeaten at the tournament with a hard-fought 25-18, 25-23, 29-27 win over Italy.
Matt Anderson scored 19 points as the U.S. improved to 4-0 and lead the standings with 12 points.
In other matches, Poland rallied from two sets down to beat Iran 18-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 15-11. Poland, which won the 2014 World Championship, also improved to 4-0 but trail the Americans by one point as a result of more sets lost.
Bartosz Kurek scored 19 points for Poland and is the tournament’s leading scorer on 80.
Maxim Mikhaylov scored 19 points to lead defending World Cup champion Russia (3-1) to a 25-19, 21-25, 25-18, 25-20 win over Argentina.
Two berths for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are available in the 12-nation tournament that runs to Sept. 23.