By Kim Boram
South Korea’s hopes of claiming a medal in men’s volleyball at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou were dashed on Friday, as the team suffered a straight-set defeat to Pakistan in the first knockout match.
The Koreans lost 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 21-25) at the China Textile City Sports Centre Gymnasium in Shaoxing, with Pakistan recording nine blocks and three aces.
This marks the first time in over six decades that South Korea will not win an Asiad medal in men’s volleyball, having reached the podium in the sport at every Asiad since 1966.
Kim Min-jae (C, in black) of South Korea hits a spike against Pakistan during a knockout match at China Textile City Sports Centre Gymnasium in Shaoxing on the western outskirts of Hangzhou, China, in the 19th Asian Games on Sept. 22, 2023. (Yonhap)
Ranked 27th in the world, South Korea will now take part in the classification round for 7th-12th places among the losers in the 12-team knockout stage, with their next match against Bahrain on Sunday to decide the final ranking at the Asiad.
South Korea’s disappointing performance in the tournament follows a series of subpar results in recent international competitions, such as the Asian Volleyball Challenger Cup in July and the Asian Volleyball Championship last month.
Heo Su-bong scored a team-high 11 points, including one block and one ace, while wing spiker Na Gyeong-bok earned nine points.
South Korea will end the Hangzhou Asian Games, which sets sail Saturday for a 16-day run, without a medal.
brk@yna.co.kr
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