The India men’s volleyball team produced a memorable performance to defeat South Korea — three-time champions and 2018 silver medallists — 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 that
lasted two hours and 38 minutes. meant India will advance to the next stage as pool-
toppers.

The game went neck-to-neck, with India maintaining the lead by a single point.

India had a two-point lead as they were the first to reach the 20-point mark. Korea increased the intensity of
their attack and came from behind to clinch the first game 25-27.

The second game kicked off with India hoping to keep the game alive with a must-win second-game victory.

It was another neck-to-neck game but India managed to take the lead for the majority of the game and the Korean team, ranked No. 27 in the world, tried to make another turnaround.

Moment from India’s volleyball win over South Korea. Twitter

With the game tied 25-25, India, ranked 73, held on to their nerves to take the game away by 29-27 with India captain Vinit Kumar picking up consecutive points.

In the third game, India continued to ride high on confidence and took the game with 25-22.

India had a comfortable six-point lead (20-14) but their opposition displayed grit and determination to make it 22-18. However, India ensured that South Korea couldn’t complete another turnaround as they took the lead of 2-1.

In the fourth game, South Korea led throughout the game as India tried to orchestrate a comeback but fell short of clinching the game.

With the scores reading 2-2, both teams looked eager to take the final 15-point game. Both teams were determined to give their all — shots were blocked, spikes were made but in the end, it was the Indian defensive block that shut out South Korea’s attack to take the game by 17-15 and seal their place in the quarter finals.

India had won their last medal, a bronze, in the 1986 edition. In the last edition of the Asian Games, the country had finished at the 12th spot.

On Tuesday too, India put up a dominant performance to outclass Cambodia 25-14, 25-13, 25-19 in their opening Pool C match.

A total of 19 teams are participating in men’s volleyball at the Hangzhou Games.

Japan and China are regarded as the two major powerhouses of the competition. While Japan have secured 27 podium finishes with 16 gold in men’s volleyball at the Asian Games, China follow with 11 gold.

Men’s volleyball was first introduced at the Tokyo Asian Games in 1958, where India secured a third position.

The Indian men have won a total of three volleyball medals so far. Their best performance came in 1962 when they were runners-up.

Written with inputs from PTI