2006 World Championships
Korea and Kazakhstan to play off for first Asian men’s Final Round ticket (FIVB)
06/18/2005
Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 18, 2005 - Korea and hosts Kazakhstan both won their second matches of the 2006 Men’s World Championship second round tournament - Asia Pool D in Almaty of Kazakhstan on Saturday and will now play the tournament’s final match on Sunday to determine who claims the one ticket on offer to the Final Round in Japan next year. The loser will head into a three-team playoff with the second place getters from the other two Asian second round tournaments.

In Saturday’s action, the first match of the day saw Korea clinch an easy victory over the United Arab Emirates in straight sets 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18) in just one hour.

Korea started the match very confidently and led all the way, demonstrating different combinations on attack, which the United Arab Emirates could not deal with. Even the triple block of the United Arab Emirates could not break the regular attacks from the Korean spikers. In the second and third sets, Korea changed several players, fielding their reserve players but they still won easily.

Korea, who are the favourites to claim the Final Round ticket, have two wins from as many matches after beating Chinese Taipei 3-1 on Friday. The United Arab Emirates, who had advanced from the first round, are now completely out of the running for a top two place having lost both their opening two matches.

Meanwhile, the hosts downed Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-20, 25-11, 25-19) for their second win in as many matches with Kazakhstan being too strong on the serve and well-organized on the block while Chinese Taipei tried to answer with quick attacks and excellent defence.

On Sunday, the last day of the tournament, Korea will play against Kazakhstan at 16:00 (local time) preceded by Chinese Taipei’s match against the United Arab Emirates at 14:00.
(Released by FIVB)