Korea's Choi Hong-Suk breaks impenetrable double Japanese block
Suwon, Korea, June 14, 2015 - Korea recovered well after a defeat on Saturday to overcome Japan 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) sealing their second victory in the 2015 World League. Choi Hong-Suk contributed with 15 points to a remarkable win.
Korea started the better of the two teams, scoring first and adding another point from Choi Hong-Suk's ace. The host kept comfortably extending their lead and were 8-3 up at the first technical timeout. Japan managed to refocus and were chasing their opponents when Song Myung-Geun made powerful spike to secure an 16-14 adavtage at the second technical timeout. Late in the set Japan committed a number of unforced errors and despite two timeouts called in row did not manage to level the score as Korea won by 25-20.
Early in the second set Korea's Choi Hong-Suk shocked the opponents by his third ace today but it was Japan who led 8-5 at the first technical timeout. Things have turned around with Korea's Choi Min-Ho successful block and subsequently another point which tied the score up at 10-10. Japan found again their rhythm and went up but Korea created a break late in the set going 22-21 in front following an ace from Kwak Seung-Suk and evetually winning the set 25-21.
The third and final set saw Korea again off to a great start with 2-0 and even if it was Japan who led at the first technical timeout, the hosts continued their momentum with an unstoppable Choin Min-Ho winning crucial points from a block and an ace. At the second technical timeout Korea were in front and cruised to a comfortable 25-18 win.
To see the match gallery, read the full match live commentary and post-match comments, visit the match page.