Brazil Qualifies for VNL Knockouts but Drops Final Two Pool Matches

Overview

• Brazil secured early qualification for the VNL knockout phase with a 3–1 win over Poland in Osaka on Friday, a match in which Ana Cristina led the team with 26 points.
• Coach José Roberto Guimarães fielded a reserve lineup against Thailand on Saturday, and Brazil lost 0–3 as the substitutes struggled with errors and cohesion.
• Returning the starters for the final pool match, Brazil was beaten 0–3 by the United States on Sunday, a result that gave the Americans top spot in the pool.
• The two straight losses do not affect Brazil's place in the elimination stage but mean the team will enter Macau without the top seed and with questions about consistency.
• The VNL sends seven best-performing teams plus host China to the single-elimination finals in Macau from July 22–26, giving Brazil two weeks to recover, refine rotations, and prepare tactically.