But sunbirds

Volleyball Club World Championships: Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds became the first team to reach the semifinals in the Men’s Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 despite going down 2-3 to four-time Champions Sada Cruzeiro Volei at the Koramangala Indoor stadium here on Thursday.

Sunbirds, playing in the prestigious competition for the first time, saved four match points in the third set and then forced a decider to assure themselves of one point from their second Pool B match and sealed their semifinal berth.

Sada also stayed in the hunt for a spot in the knock-out stage as they regrouped in time to win their opening clash of the championship 25-21, 31-29, 28-30, 22-25, 15-12 and earn two valuable points.