Korea lose 3-0 to Turkey to start Volleyball Nations League

Korea lost the opening game of the 2023 Volleyball Nations League 3-0 to Turkey on Wednesday, starting this year's tournament on the same disappointing note that saw the team go winless last year.

Jeong Ji-yun, right, attacks during a Volleyball Nations League game between Korea and Turkey at Antalya Sports Hall in Antalya, Turkey on Wednesday. [FIVB]

Korea lost the opening game of the 2023 Volleyball Nations League 3-0 to Turkey on Wednesday, starting this year's tournament on the same disappointing note that saw the team go winless last year.

Korea faced the host in the opening game at Antalya Sports Hall in Antalya, Turkey, extending their VNL losing streak to 13 games.

They recorded 12 straight losses last year in the annual tournament with the absence of Kim Yeon-koung and Yang Hyo-jin, who had retired from national duty after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The national team led by captain Park Jeong-ah struggled from the first set, failing to effectively defend against Turkey’s attacks to lose the set 25-14.

Korea seemed to bounce back in the second set, with the team leading the set 7-3 in the early going. Turkey, however, found a breakthrough in the middle of the set and snatched the lead at 13-13, before Melissa Vargas and Ebrar Karakurt led the team’s attack and grabbed the set 25-17.

The third set was more intense, with Korea going all out to stay alive in the game.

The lead constantly changed hands and Korea took the set all the way to a tied score at 24-24, managing over 20 points for the first time during the game.

They needed two points to take the set, but instead it was Vargas that broke the deadlock with a point. Captain Park’s attack went off the court on the next play, ending the set 26-24 for a final score of 3-0.

The ranking difference — Korea ranked at No. 24 on the FIVB World Ranking and Turkey at No. 7 — was clear, especially when it came to attacking.

Jeong Ji-yun was the only Korean player to manage double-digit points, with 10, followed by captain Park with six and Kang So-hwi with four.

Turkey, on the other hand, had two players that scored over 10 points. Vargas was the top scorer of the game with 15 and Ilkin Aydin managed 14.

Wednesday’s game result is concerning for Korea, who have to play a series of higher-ranked countries over the next week. Korea will face the No. 4 United States, No. 14 Canada and No. 15 Thailand this week.

The national team needs to improve their form to be in with a chance of securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as the VNL results will impact the FIVB ranking, determining the countries that compete at the Olympics.

Among the 12 countries that will participate in the Olympics, five will land in the competition based on the FIVB World Ranking by June 2024, prioritizing continents that do not have qualified teams in the competition.

Six other countries will reach the tournament through qualifiers along with France, who will automatically join as host nation.

Korea can also reach the Olympics after going through the qualifiers, but that road will be tough considering they have to beat teams like No. 2 Italy and the United States.

Korea next face Canada at 5 p.m. on Friday, before playing the United States on Saturday and Thailand on Sunday.

All three games will be broadcast through streaming service Coupang Play in Korea.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]