The Korean Men’s Volleyball Team Loses to Japan

Korean Men’s Volleyball Team Loses to Japan in Jecheon Korea Cup International Competition

The Korean men’s volleyball team suffered a painful upset defeat to Japan.

The Korean national team, led by Brazilian coach Isanae Ramirez, lost to Japan 2-3 (25-23 25-20 19-25 22-25 13-15) in the second match of the 2024 Korea Cup Jecheon International Men’s Volleyball Tournament held at the Jecheon Gymnasium in Chungbuk Province on the 14th.

Korea, which had defeated Brazil 3-1 the day before and won its first match in 32 years, seemed to be on a two-game winning streak after winning the first and second sets against Japan, but was defeated by Japan’s power and lost three sets. 안전 슬롯사이트

Unlike Korea, which was unable to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Brazil, ranked 7th in the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) world rankings, and Japan, ranked 2nd, sent 2nd and 3rd-tier players to this tournament in preparation for the Paris Olympics.

Korea, who gave up 3 points at the start of the first set, followed up with powerful attacks from Heo Su-bong (Hyundai Capital) and Kim Ji-han (Woori Card) to make it 7-8, and then turned the tables with a score from a block by three blockers following a fast attack by Cha Young-seok (Hyundai Capital) to make it 9-8.

In the second half of the close match, ‘problem solver’ Heo Su-bong made it 22-20 with a cool serve ace that landed on the right edge of the court, and thanks to Lim Dong-hyeok (Armed Forces Athletic Corps) adding strength with a push-in and block score, Korea took the first set.

Korea took advantage of the momentum in the early part of the second set, gradually increasing the gap to 6-3 with a blocking point following Heo Su-bong’s attack point and a powerful hit by Kim Ji-han, and steadily maintained a 7-8 point gap to lead the set score 2-0.

However, after losing the third set to Japan’s defensive concentration, Korea turned things around in the latter half of the fourth set due to instability in receiving, and headed to the fifth set.

Korea was trailing Japan in the fifth set at 5-5, giving up three consecutive points through attack points, block points, and consecutive hits, but with the help of Lim Seong-jin (Korea Electric Power Corporation)’s cannonball serve, they were able to close the gap to 10-11.

However, they were unable to block or dig to stop Japan’s spears, and were unable to narrow the gap to two points.

Korea, which has one win and one loss, will face Australia on the 16th at 4 PM and China on the 17th at 4 PM.

The total prize money for this competition, which was established to enhance the international competitiveness of Korean Men’s Volleyball, is $35,000, and the winner’s prize money is $20,000.

The five participating countries compete once, and the team with the most wins wins.