Участник:Korean women's volleyball wins first VNL against Thailand, ranked 13th in the world in 31 games

The Korean women's volleyball team, led by head coach Fernando Morales, beat Thailand (13th in the world) 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-15, 25-18) in the final game of the first week of the 2024 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at Maracaranginho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the morning of the 20th (Korea time).안전놀이터

It is the first time since the 2022 tournament that Korean women's volleyball has won the VNL.

When the veteran generation, who is considered Kim Yeon-kyung, Kim Su-ji (Heungkuk Life Insurance), and Yang Hyo-jin (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), returned their national flags after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Korean women's volleyball team suffered from a major slump in international competitions. In particular, at the world championships and VNL, where world powerhouses gather, they rarely use their strength and lost repeatedly, making it difficult to win one win. In the match against Thailand on the day, Korea utilized offensive options such as Kang So-hwi (22 points), Park Jung-ah (16 points), Jeong Ji-yoon (16 points) and Lee Ju-ah (11 points). Under setter Kim Da-in's diverse operation of games, he displayed robust game concentration.

He also led 12-8 in blocking, and the number of mistakes was nearly half as low as 13-25.

For Thailand, Cha Chuon scored 17 points, Wipawi (Hyundai Engineering & Construction) scored 15 points, and Hataya scored 11 points, but it was not enough to prevent the triangular firepower of Kang So-hwi, Park Jung-ah and Jung Ji-yoon.

South Korea, which held the lead first in the first set, even made a double point and dominated Thailand. Park Jung-ah's offensive power was observed, and Lee Joo-ah and Lee Da-hyun drew points in the midfield at an important moment.

Thailand attempted a close game by banking on Wipawi's attack, but Korea's concentration was one level. Korea maintained its lead within two or three points. Park Jung-ah led the way in the important second half, living up to her nickname "clutch Park." Korea got off to a flying start, winning the first set 25-19 for the first time in this VNL.

In the second set, Thailand pushed hard. Korea, which had been ahead until the middle of the match, was caught in a surprise upset as it was caught by Wipawi's counterattack. Kim Dain's serve ace seemed to turn the mood around, and Korea chased Thailand's match point, but Sasipapon's score matched the game score 1-1 as the second set was mashed 25-23.

However, the Korean team maintained its lineup from the third set and quickly widened the gap. After a nine-point gap, Jung Ji-yoon scored first to reach 20 points. Thailand looked tired. It failed to catch up with the score by more than eight points. Korea reached its peak by taking 25-16 through the third set.

And in the last four sets, Park Jung-ah's attack reached its peak. Park Jung-ah overwhelmed the opponent's court with a strong spy following the rear attack.

Park Jung-ah, who was standing on the left sideline, showed off her running spike, one of the highlights of the last-minute match points, and emerged as a leading player to win Korea's first VNL victory in 25-18 and 31 games.

South Korea, which saw the light after a long fight, celebrated its first victory with the ceremony of Kang Kang-su-wol-rae.

As a result, South Korea achieved the goal of "at least one win" it had pledged before leaving the country.

After the first week, South Korea will start its second week against Bulgaria at 1 a.m. on the 30th.