Hanoi, Vietnam, July 17, 2019 – Terrific Son Hyang Mi scored match-high 26 points as DPR Korea survived a strong challenge from Hong Kong China to pull off a dramatic 3-1 (25-16 25-17 17-25 25-10) victory over the determined rivals in the top eight playoff in Pool E at Gia Lam Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Son Hyang Mi scored 22 attack points from 46 attempts, 1 block and 3 aces and Pon Rim Hyang added 16 points, all from her powerful attacks. Tam Hin Chang Rachel led Hong Kong China with 15 points.
DPR Korea, which did not take part in this biennial championship in the first two editions including the second episode in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in 2017, remained strong with ace spikers Pyon Rim Hyang and Son Hyang Mi at the helm, while Hong Kong China were led by hard-attacking 180cm-tall Tam Hin Ching Rachel and Chim Wing Lam.
A side packed with talents, DPR Korea opened up with exceptional attacks from Pyon Rim Hyang and scintillating blocking from Pak Myong Gyong and Ki Jong Sim to race to an initial 13-6 lead and stretch it to 16-8. Hong Kong China scored four points in a row after back-to-back attacks to narrow the margin at 12-16. However, the rhythm was with the Koreans from then on, while the oppositions became prone with unforced errors and came up with poor reception, allowing the Koreans several attacking opportunities. DPR Korea snatched the first set 25-16.
In the second set, Hong Kong China bounced back in style to catch DPR Korea at 3-3 and mounted a strong challenge after that to stay hot on the rivals’ heels. Taking a narrow 15-14 lead, DPR Korea combined extreme power through Pyon Rim Hyang’s spikes with well-placed serves from Kim Hyon A to widen the gap to 18-15 and made short work of the rivals, allowing them only two more points to wrap up the set 25-17.
Holding a 2-0 advantage, DPR Korea took the upper hand initially in the third set to lead 5-3. Nonetheless, Hong Kong China regrouped and counter-attacked well to catch the touch rivals at 5-all and overtook them with a 6-point clear at 14-8. As the Koreans played erratically, Hong Kong China troubled the rivals with great attacks from Chim Wing Lam and Tam Hin Ching Rachel to widen the margin to 22-11. Despite putting up a sturdy challenge, the Koreans found the rivals uncatchable as Hong Kong China captured the thrilling set 25-17.
The fourth set was a procession towards victory for DPR Korea. With a blistering run of points under the aggressive attacking of Pyon and Kim Hyon A, the Koreans jumped to an early 5-0 lead and seized the chance when the rivals dropped from their rhythm to attack devastatingly and block effectively and widened it to 14-6. The on-going game turned out to be completely one-sided when DPR Korea advanced to 22-7 and won the set 25-10 and match.
“It was a tough match since DPR Korea are very fast and strong, while our reception was not so good. My players lost confidence especially in the first two sets. We improved a little bit in the third set and organised some powerful attacks against their blocking. In the fourth set, I think my players lost concentration, while our reception was getting worse. Hopefully, we can do better in our next match against Thailand. The Thais are very strong, but we will try our best. Some of my players are experienced and knew how Thailand play, so we hope to have a good match. However, it depends upon our performance,” Hong Kong China head coach Cheung King Fai commented after the match.
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation