Hyundai Capital kept its spring volleyball hopes alive in dramatic fashion.
Hyundai Capital came from behind to defeat Woori Card 3-1 (17-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-17) in straight sets in the men’s Dodram 2023-2024 V-League at Yugusun Gymnasium in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do on Wednesday.
Fourth-ranked Hyundai Capital, which extended its winning streak to three games, improved to 17-18 and 53 points. The gap between them and third-place OK Financial Group (20 wins, 15 losses, 57 points) was reduced to four points. In professional volleyball, a single-elimination semifinals matchup is decided if the difference in points 스포츠토토사이트 between third and fourth place is three or less.
Hyundai Capital will qualify for the spring volleyball stage for the second consecutive year with a win, regardless of the number of points, against OK Financial Group at Yugusun Gymnasium in Cheonan on the 15th. On the other hand, Woori Card, who could have clinched their first-ever direct trip to the championship match with a win, failed to open the ‘champagne cork’ with an upset loss.
The league leader Woori Card (23-12, 69 points) is still ahead of second-place Korean Air (22-13, 68 points).
Woori Card can clinch first place in the regular season if Korean Air loses to KB Insurance on Thursday or if they win against Samsung Fire on Saturday.
Hyundai Capital, who will be eliminated from spring volleyball if they lose to Woori Card, got off to a difficult start as even their main hitter Jeon Kwang-in suffered from a back infection and withdrew from the match.
After dropping the first set 17-25, Hyundai Capital turned the match around thanks to the efforts of Kim Sun-ho and Ahmed Iqbairi (registered name Ahmed), who scored six points each in the second set alone.
In the third set, veteran middle blocker Choi Min-ho was the solution. Choi led the offense in the third set with five kills and two blocks.
Hyundai Capital fought back at 9-9 in the third set with a fastball from Choi Min-ho, and at 11-9, Choi scored two consecutive points with a block and a fastball. After a block by Ahmed, Hyundai Capital scored five straight points to extend the lead to 14-9.
Choi Min-ho created set point with a fastball at 23-18, and Ahmed’s open attack sealed the set.
After enjoying an efficient attack distribution, Hyundai Capital setter Kim Myung-kwan utilized Heo Soo-bong and Kim Sun-ho again in the fourth set.
At 4-4, Hyundai Capital capitalized on two consecutive kills by Kim and two opponent errors to go on a 9-4 run. At 14-9, three consecutive blocks by Ahmed (two) and Choi Min-ho were enough to end Woori Card’s chase.
Hyundai Capital had four players in double figures, including Heo Soo-bong (18 points), Ahmed (17 points), Choi Min-ho (14 points), and Kim Sun-ho (12 points).
Hyundai Capital’s blockers held a 14-8 advantage in blocked shots against the league’s top blocking team, Woori Card.
Woori Card, which was on the threshold of clinching the regular season title, was quieted by the duo of Kim Ji-han (18 points) and Artem Susheko (real name Artem – 6 points).
