Hyundai Capital, a 52-point joint venture of 'Heo Soo-bong-Leo-Xinpeng', won the cup competition for the first time in 11 years with a 3-2 dramatic reversal in the fifth set for two consecutive days
Sep 28, 2024
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Hyundai Capital came from behind to beat Korean Air by a set score of 3 to 2 (15-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13) in the men's final of the 2024 Tongyeong and Dodram Cup Professional Volleyball Championship held at Tongyeong Gymnasium on the 28th. He showed his strength to win despite a five-set battle for two consecutive days.
As a result, Hyundai Capital lifted its fifth championship in 11 years after the 2006 Yangsan, 2008 Yangsan, 2010 Suwon and 2013 Ansan competitions.
Hyundai Capital beat OK Savings Bank (3-0) and KB Insurance (3-2), but lost to Korea Air 2-3 and reached the semifinals as the second place in the group, beating Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance 3-2 on the 27th and having a revenge match with Korean Air in the final.
Korean Air defeated KB Insurance (3-1), OK Savings Bank (3-0), and Hyundai Capital (3-2) in the preliminary round to reach the semi-finals as the top of the group, and beat the South Korean military athletic unit 3-0 on the 27th to reach the final.
The match is a physical match because the final match will be played immediately following the semi-final the previous day. Korean Air finished in the third set, while Hyundai Capital was expected to face more physical difficulties as it played a close game to the fifth set.
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In the second set, Hyundai Capital and Korean Air, which were warmed up, competed closely. At 17-16, Leo's spike and Kim Jin-yeo's blocking led Hyundai Capital by three points to grab the second set, but Korean Air changed the mood by blocking Yosbani's spike after Leo's serve mistake and Han's serve ace, making it 19-19 at once.
However, Hyundai Capital took a two-point lead 22-20 due to Kim Min-jae's net-touch error on Choi Min-ho's fastball, and then exchanged one point each to lead 24-23 and won 25-23 due to Kwak Seung-seok's sub miss to tie the set score 1-1.
As soon as Korean Air started the third set, it started as Han's serve ace and led 4-0 due to Yosvani's consecutive spike and Huh Soo-bong's offensive mistakes.
Hyundai Capital chased, but Korean Air kept the lead. Blocking disabled Hyundai Capital. Yosvani blocked Huh Soo-bong's attack twice, and it was 19-14 when Han blocked Jeon Kwang-in's quick open. The gap was not narrowed and Korean Air won 25-19.
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As the final set of the final match, the fifth set was held in the form of a neck-and-neck race. Whenever a score was scored, the tension increased as loud shouts and applause came from the sold-out stands.
At 7-7, Hyundai Capital Huh Soo-bong's sub-line error led Korean Air to change the court with an 8-7 lead. Kim Min-jae then made a 9-7, two-point difference with his fastball, but Hyundai Capital tied it 10-10 due to Leo's spike and Kwak Seung-seok's offensive mistakes.
Korean Air continued to score points first and play in an advantageous position, but the flow was transferred to Hyundai Capital for an instant. At 11-12, Shin Feng's back-to-back attacks finally gave Hyundai Capital a 13-12 lead. At 13-13, He Su-bong's spike reached 14-13 and Pampian point, and Xinfeng blocked Yosvani's attack to complete a dramatic comeback victory.
Hyundai Capital scored 21 points for Heo Soo-bong, 17 points for Shin Feng, 14 points for Leo, and 11 points for Jinyoung Kim, while Korean Air scored 21 points for Yosvani, 17 points for Lee Joon, and 9 points for Kwak Seung-seok.
The Tongyeong and Dodram Cup, which finished the men's team, will start the women's team match on the 29th.
indyk@sportschosun.com
