Jiangmen, China, January 8, 2020 – Korea’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals still ran high when the world No.24 ousted India in hard-fought three-setter 25-19 25-20 25-23 to claim their first win at the AVC Men’s Tokyo Qualification 2020 at the Jiangmen Sports Centre Gymnasium here on Wednesday.
Jung Jiseok chipped in with 12 points for Korea including 10 attacks from 16 attempts, while Shin Yungsuk kept good company to add 10 points including 8 attacks. Amit Amit emerged as the top scorer of India after bagging 13 points from his lightning-fast attacks.
Korea and India had their sights firmly set on winning this crucial match to keep their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals alive. Both teams started strongly, but Korea, silver medallists at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, proved a cut above the rivals.
Powerful jump serves from Shin Yung-Suk and Jeon Kwang-In’s aggressive midcourt attacks led Korea to a 13-11 lead. India counter-attacked well, withJerome Vinith Charles attacking devastatingly from the back row. Ajihlai Chandran’s fine shots also played an important role in helping India reduce the margin 16-20. However, the Indian fightback was short-lived when Korea went on their mighty attacks and solid blocks. Korea netted the first set 25-19, with Park Chul-Woo and Shin Yung-Suk successfully blocking a strong attack from Ajihlai Chandran in the last point of the set.
Korea went on their superb form to get off to a solid start for the 7-2 lead in the second set, taking the advantage when the Indian nerves began to fray. Korea widened the margin to 16-13 and 20-16 when Shin Yung-Suk flexed his muscles to smash back-to-back attacks and Kwak Seungsuk and Chol Minho came up with solid blocks. India, thanks to another promising effort from Amit, who picked up a few points from some fine shots, tried hard to claw their way back into the set. Still, their determination was in vain. Korea held on to win the set 25-20.
The third set was more thrilling as Korea and India fought hard and traded powerful shots, which saw both teams unable to leave each other behind with more than two points. Although they fought neck and neck, Korea made a step better in critical moments. At 23-23, Korea were jubilant after an exceptional attack from Jung Jiseok gave the team a matchpoint 24-23 and Han Sunsoo produced a well-placed serve to the midcourt which went unanswered. Korea captured the close set 25-23 and match.
Korea will next go up against unbeaten Qatar, while India succumbed to two straight losses and could not make it to the semi-finals for sure. The Indians, winners at the recent South Asian Games in Nepal, still have one match remaining on Thursday against Australia but despite the win, they are assured of failing to make the cut for the semi-finals.
India head coach G.E. Sridharan: “Our players have improved a lot and they gave a good performance today. We hope that tomorrow we will do better in blocking and attack. Korea is a good team, I am happy that our team can learn from them.”
India captain Vinit Kumar: “ It was a tough game for us. All the sets were neck to neck. Korea played well, we gave them a good fight but they defended it solidly.”
Korea head coach Im Dohun: “It was important to reverse the atmosphere of our team. India are tall, they played tricky balls as well. I am glad that my team won the game today. Tomorrow we will also put more experienced players on court as it’s the last match in preliminary round.”
Korea captain Shin Yungsuk: “I’ve expected the match would be tough. But I’ve done my part in attacking and scored a lot, trying to encourage other team players to work harder. Tomorrow when playing against Qatar, we will try to strengthen our blocking.”
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