Hanoi, Vietnam, July 20, 2019 – DPR Korea produced a terrific comeback 3-1 (18-25 25-20 26-24 25-21) win against hosts Vietnam to storm their way to the final showdown of the 3rd Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Championship at Gia Lam Gymnasium with a remarkable unbeaten record.
Son Hyang Mi chipped in with 19 points for DPR Korea including 18 attacks from 58 attempts, while Pyon Rim Hyang made good company to add 16 points. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy topscored with 18 points including 14 attacks and 3 blocks for Vietnam.
Vietnam, which put it past fighting Kazakhstan 3-1 in the quarter-finals, fielded a formidable lineup led by the 187cm Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Duong Thi Hen and Tran Thi Bich Thuy, while DPR Korea relied on their exceptional offensive combinations of Son Hyang Mi and Pyon Rim Hyang.
Both sides made a solid start to trade blows from the very beginning of the first set. Backed by more than 2,300 home fans inside the competition venue, Vietnam took an initial 12-10 lead, making use of high-flying Tran Thi Thanh Thuy’s mighty attacks in thrashing triple smaller-built blockers. As Vietnam advanced with a 4-point clear at 18-14, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Dang Thi Kim Thanh were on target and the Koreans struggled to be picked apart by the powerful hitters. Vietnam snatched the thrilling set 25-18.
In the second set, DPR Korea came up with superb net play performance, with Pak Myong Gyong and Ri Jong Hyang producing impenetrable defence, making the rivals troubled scoring. The Koreans led 22-16 and widened the gap to 23-19, allowing the host side one more point before Son Hyang Mi landed a beautiful mid-court drop for the 25-20 win in favour of the visitors.
The third set turned an action-packed battle which saw both sides experiment with their lineup to seek the right formula. In such an intense affair, leads changed hands for several times. A terrific attack from Son Hyang Mi gave the Koreans a crucial point in front at 24-23, but Tran Thi Thanh Thuy saved the day for Vietnam with her fierce spike. Unfortunately, she carried out an erratic serve a few minutes later, handing the rivals another chance of closing the set and Son seized it with her sharp shot for the DPR Korea’s hard-fought 26-24 win and a 2-1 advantage.
In the fourth set, both sides gave it all-out, but DPR Korea captured the pole position with a two-point advantage at 19-17 and stretched it to 21-19. Vietnam head coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet asked for timeout to improve his team’s strategy, but it was in vain. The Koreans stormed on with their spectacular spikes to capture the set 25-21, match and a final berth.
Following the win, the DPR Korean players jumped for joy, hugged their staff coaches and one another. Everybody had smiles on everybody’s faces.
The stunning win over hosts Vietnam was a sweet revenge for the DPR Korea’s loss to Vietnam in the final showdown at the last year’s VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup in Ha Tinh, Vietnam. There, Vietnam, led by Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who won the MVP in the tournament, beat the Koreans in straight sets for the title.
DPR Korea, making their debut effort in this championship, will take on the winners between Thailand and unbeaten China in the Sunday’s final, while Vietnam will play the losers in the third-place playoff.
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