Asian Games men’s volleyball: India stun 2018 silver medallists South Korea in thriller, top Pool C

The thrilling 25-27, 29-27, 25-22, 20-25, 17-15 win meant India will advance to the next stage as pool-toppers. On Tuesday, India had begun their campaign with a straight-set win over Cambodia. The two best teams from each pool advance to the Top 12

Indian volleyball team beat South Korea. (IOA / Twitter)

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The Indian men’s volleyball team produced a memorable performance to defeat three-time champions and 2018 silver medallists South Korea in a Pool C match at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Wednesday.

The thrilling 25-27, 29-27, 25-22, 20-25, 17-15 win meant India will advance to the next stage as pool-toppers. On Tuesday, India had begun their campaign with a straight-set win over Cambodia. The two best teams from each pool advance to the Top 12.

After losing a close opening set, the Indians fought back to clinch the second and third. World No.27-ranked Korea then forced their way back into the contest, taking the fourth set. In the decider, which was closely fought all the way, India had two match points that were squandered. It was then Korea’s turn to have a match point but the Indians held their nerves to register a famous win.

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According to the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Rankings, India are number 73 in the world while Korea are Asia’s fourth- highest-ranked side.

Wing Spiker Amit led the points tally for India, with a total of 24 while captain Vinit Kumar and Ashwal Rai followed with 19 each. Out of the 116 points that India won, they were helped by Korean errors for 36 of those. India’s errors were fewer, contributing to 19 of Korea’s total points.

India have won a total of three medals in volleyball at the Asian Games – a silver and two bronze – the last of which came in 1986.