Nagoya: The coach of South Korea's national women's volleyball team on Monday expressed confidence that his team will win a medal at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, saying his players are on track after their first official training session in Japan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, coach Cha Sang-hyun shared his optimism following the training session held at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium in Okazaki, approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Nagoya. "In the previous competition, we stopped at the quarterfinals. I can see their strong determination for this Asian Games," Cha told reporters. The team arrived in Japan the previous day to begin its campaign to reclaim a medal at the Asian Games, which will commence on Saturday.
South Korea is set to face Hong Kong, Qatar, and Vietnam in Pool D of the preliminary round, with the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to the quarterfinals. At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, South Korea lost to Vietnam in its first preliminary match, marking the first time since 2006 that the team failed to win an Asian Games medal in women's volleyball.
Cha emphasized that Friday's match against Vietnam will be an opportunity for revenge and a key to finishing first in Pool D. "We have to beat Vietnam by whatever means possible so that we can gain an advantage in a quarterfinal match against a team from Pool B, where China is grouped," he stated.
During the training session, Cha focused on receiving and serving, and discussed attacking tactics with setter Kim Da-in to avoid the opponents' middle blockers. "All players are eager to win and do well. No one wants to lose," Cha remarked. He noted that many players who competed at the Hangzhou Games are determined not to repeat the same experience in Japan.
South Korea will take on Hong Kong on Wednesday in Pool D at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, just north of Nagoya.