29-Nov, start time: 18:05, end time: 19:18 - Attendance: 2,120

KOR	3	25	25	26	-	-	76
CHN	0	19	21	24	-	-	64

Match Description:

Korea Defeat China and Return to Winning Ways
Korea won the all-Asian battle at the World Cup's Site B when they overcame a strong challenge from China before defeating their close rivals in straight sets. In a re-run of September's Asian Volleyball Championship final, Korea won 25-19, 25-21, 24-26 for their fifth victory in 10 games, and went some way to making amends for yesterday's loss to Egypt.

China were 10th on the 12-team rankings before going into this game, and drop back to 11th with just one win behind Tunisia, winners of the North African showdown with Egypt earlier in the day.

After some frantic side outs by both teams, Korea found an edge at 11-8 following a spike from Suk Jin-Wook and an error from China. The Chinese battled bravely, especially Tang Miao, but were unable to stop the powerful Yoon Kwan-Yeol and Chang Byung-Chul from extending Korea's lead to 22-14 before securing the set with another Chang spike.

Korea's game with Egypt the previous day had gone to five tough sets, but they had no problems with their fitness as they again set the pace in the second set. But China's Hu Song and Tang did not let them have it all their own way and they were forced to work hard for their points. Ultimately, the quick rhythm set by captain Choi Tae-Woong proved too much for their opponents as they moved two sets ahead.

Outstanding defense, led by libero Yeo Oh-Hyun, kept Korea close at the start of the third set as Hu and Tang continued to send down their bombs. Korea rode the storm and led 22-20 only for China to save a match point and level at 24-24, before Korea rounded off the match with a Yoon spike and Shin Sun-Ho block.

Comments:

CHA, Joo-Hyun (KOR Head Coach)
" We've played several games with the Chinese team before, most recently in the Asian Championship last year. Since we were badly beaten in yesterday's game, I've been very worried that it would have an impact on our players' minds. However, our players were so good today that we could win the game. The young and fresh Chinese team also played well and this game was very satisfactory to both teams. I'm very content."

SUK, Jin-Wook (KOR Player)
" This game was very important, it was a game we had to win when we consider the Olympic trial in Athens next year. Actually we played very hard and very well. I'm very happy with this win and hope that we will also win the Olympic trial next year. "

DI, Anhe (CHN Head Coach)
" Although we lost today, my players tried to do their best. The Korean team was better than us in the aspects of skill and experience."

HE, Jiong (CHN Player)
" We are disappointed to lose this game. We couldn't make the most of our chances. We didn't play very well. However, it gives us a chance to learn about the weak areas in our game. "

Official Result:

Match statistics (P-2) - PDF