Korean men's volleyball team secures knockout stage spot with dominant win over Cambodia

Volleyball

Published: 21 Sep. 2023, 17:00 Updated: 22 Sep. 2023, 10:27

Korean men's volleyball team secures knockout stage spot with dominant win over Cambodia

Korea's Jung Ji-seok attacks during a Hangzhou Asian Games volleyball game against Cambodia at Linping Sports Centre Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China on Thursday. [NEWS1]

The Korean men’s volleyball team thrashed Cambodia 3-0 in their second pool stage game of the Hangzhou Asian Games Thursday, securing a place in the knockout stage as Pool C runners-up and redeeming themselves from a loss against India a day before.

The game at Linping Sports Centre Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China was crucial for both sides as a loss would mean the end of their run in the Asiad. Both teams had suffered a loss against India in Pool C.

Korean men's volleyball team loses opening Asiad game to India

A total of 19 countries, divided into six groups, compete in this year’s Asiad. Top two teams from the six groups advance to the knockout round.

Korea failed to dominate in the early going of the first set, allowing Cambodia to take the lead 10-6. They then found a breakthrough and snatched the lead to make it 19-18, before riding that momentum to win the first set 25-23.

The second set saw more effective attacks from Korea, with outside hitters Jung Ji-seok and Na Gyeong-bok scoring multiple points to take the score to 10-4 in the beginning. The team seemed to find their feet and won the set with ease at 25-13.

Korea rode that momentum through the third set and Heo Su-bong scored the last point to win the set 25-15 for a final score of 3-0.

Korea’s victory put an end to Cambodia’s run in the Asian Games even before the opening ceremony of the tournament on Saturday — the men’s volleyball schedule started Tuesday.

With the win, Korea will now continue their bid to win their fourth Asiad gold medal.

Korea has medaled at every Asian Games since 1966, winning 14 Asiad medals — three golds, seven silvers and four bronzes. The team won silver at the 2018 Asiad and their last gold medal came from the 2006 tournament.

They will face Pool D winners Pakistan in the knockout stage at Shaoxing China Textile City Sports Center in Shaoxing on Friday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]