S. Korea in volleyball opener against foe Japan

South Korean volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung trains during her team’s training session in Rio, July 30. / Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

With the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics officially kicking off Saturday (KST), one of the most highlight-worthy matches of day 1 for South Korea includes a women’s volleyball match against archrival Japan.

World No. 9 South Korea will play world No. 5 Japan on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at Maracanazinho Arena in Rio. The South Korean team, which has not won a women’s volleyball medal since a bronze at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, has been paired with Russia (world No. 4), Japan, Argentina (No. 12), Cameroon (No. 28) and host Brazil (No. 2) in Group A.

South Korea has been thirsting for revenge after losing to Japan in straight sets in the bronze medal match at the 2012 London Olympics. At that time, South Korea’s Kim Yeon-koung, 28, fought fiercely, scoring 22 points, but the rest of the team was silenced by the strong Japanese attackers with high spiking efficiency.

In Rio, South Korea has set the Olympic podium as its goal and to please coach Lee Jung-chul in the match against Japan.

“The first match is the most important in every competition, and our first opponent will be Japan,” Lee told reporters after a friendly match with Italy, Wednesday (KST). “In terms of tactics and team spirit, we must win the game.”

In their meetings, South Korea has been weak against Japan, recording 49 wins and 86 losses, but has shown improved performance during recent showdowns. At the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, South Korea clinched gold after defeating Japan twice in the preliminary and semifinals and took a 3-1 win over Japan in May’s Olympics qualifier in Tokyo.

Kim matters most for S. Korea

What matters most to the South Korean team will be whether Kim Yeon-koung is in good shape on Saturday.

The 192-centimeter-tall player has been regarded as her country’s most decorated volleyballer. Kim has been playing for Turkey’s Fenerbahce since 2011. Though her country was fourth in the London Olympics, Kim was named most valuable player for scoring the most points ― 207.

However, Kim didn’t play in the practice game with the Italian team, Thursday, due to minor discomfort in her waist. Kim said it ached after riding a bus for over two hours back to the athletes’ village following the first friendly match with Italy Wednesday.

“I feel sad for having this discomfort as I was in good shape before,” Kim told reporters. “Fortunately, I am not in a lot of pain. I will be 100 percent in the match against Japan.”

While Kim will lead the South Korean team, there is Saori Kimura, 30, for Japan. The iconic Japanese star is set to play in her fourth Olympics ― after the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games ― to guide her team to the Olympic podium once again.

After the match with Japan, South Korea will continue with Group A matches against Russia on Tuesday, Argentina on Thursday, Brazil on Saturday and Cameroon on Aug. 15.