Hong -Suk Choi for Korea
The result saw both sides emerge with 2-3 records heading into the final two days of the competition.
Park Chul-Woo racked up a match-high 27 points. Kim Hak-Min had 19 points in the win.
Chen Ping led China with 23 points. Zhang Chen added 21 points.
The match featured the changing of momentum, as the sides traded sets until Korea finally prevailed.
A block by Liang Chunlong gave China a 5-4 lead in the first set. Another block by Liang made it 7-6 for China. Kim Yo-Han sent a spike into the net and China led 8-6 at the first TTO. A spike by Choi Hon-Suk went long and China was up 11-8. Kim Hak-Min leveled it 8-8 with a spike down the middle. Liang’s spike put China back in front 15-14. A block by Liang gave China a 16-14 lead at the second TTO. Shin Yun-Suk tied it 18-18 with a spike and Korea moved ahead 19-18 on Shin‘s block. Park Chul-Woo‘s spike put Korea back up 20-19. A return error by China made it 23-20 for Korea. Yun Bong-Woo‘s return gave Korea set point at 24-20. Yun‘s block gave Korea the set 25-21.
A service ace by Han Sun-Soo saw China take a 6-5 lead in the second set. Yun‘s spike gave Korea an 8-7 lead at the first TTO. Kim Hak-Min‘s spike put Korea up 10-9. China moved in front 12-10 and Korea called a timeout. A spike by Shen Qiong put China up three at 14-11. Liang‘s spike made it 16-13 for China at the second TTO. A spike by Bian Hongmin put China up four at 20-16. Kim Hak-Min sent a serve long and China was two points from the set at 23-20. A spike by Chen Ping made it set point for China at 24-21. China clinched the set 25-22 on a spike by Zhang Chen.
A service ace by Shin gave Korea a 5-2 lead in the third set. Lee Sun-Kyu‘s spike made it 7-4 for Korea. A spike by Choi moved Korea to an 8-4 lead at the first TTO. Kim Hak-Min soared for a spike and Korea was up five at 10-5. China scored six of the next nine points to make the count 13-11 for Korea. Park‘s block took it to 15-11. Chen botched a return and Korea was on top 16-12 at the second TTO. Chen‘s spike brought China within two at 18-16. Park‘s spike made it 20-17. Choi‘s spike took it to 23-19. Park claimed the set 25-20 for China with a spike.
Zhong Weijun‘s service ace put China in front 5-2 in the fourth set. Bian sent a spike into the net but China still led 7-4. China led 8-4 at the first TTO. A spike gave China a 10-5 advantage. Kore fell behind 13-6 and took a timeout. Chen‘s spike put China up nine at 16-7 at the second TTO. Bian‘s block made it 20-9 as China drove for the set. Zhang‘s spike took it to 23-13. Zhong gave China the set 25-14 with a spike.
Zhong‘s spike knocked libero Yeo Oh-Hyun off his feet and put China in front 3-0 in the fifth set. Korea tied it 3-3 on a spike by Shin. A spike by Shin made it 5-3. Lee Sun-Kyu‘s spike made it 8-6 for Korea at the changeover. China tied it 8-8 on a block by Liang. Zhong‘s block put China up 10-9. Back and forth it went. A spike by Park equalized at 11-11. Chen‘s spike made it 13-21 for China. A block by Lee gave Korea match point at 14-13 and China called a timeout. Kim closed it out with a spike 15-13.
China play Venezuela on Saturday, while Korea battle Australia.
