The South Korea men's volleyball team achieved a clean sweep against Bahrain in two exhibition matches, raising expectations for upcoming international competitions.
Under the guidance of head coach Isanaye Ramirez, South Korea (ranked 26th in the world) defeated Bahrain (ranked 44th) in the second match of the '2026 South Korea-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations 50th Anniversary National Team Exhibition' held at the Cheonan Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium on August 30, with a set score of 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 25-20).
Having previously won the first match 3-1 on August 29, South Korea concluded the domestic exhibition series with two consecutive victories.
The team's 'twin towers,' Dong-hyuk Lim (Korean Air) and Su-bong Heo (Hyundai Capital), showcased their offensive prowess, with Lim scoring 13 points and Heo contributing 11 points.
Setter Tae-jun Han (Woori Card), who filled in for the injured Taek-yeong Hwang (KB Insurance), also stood out with stable game management and four points from solo blocks.
The turning point came in the first set. South Korea trailed 17-21 but rallied back with a quick attack from Jun-hyuk Choi (Korean Air), a block from Han, and a service ace from Lim, closing the gap to just one point. In a tense battle that reached deuce at 24-24, South Korea seized the set point due to a service error from Bahrain, and Sang-hyun Lee (Military Sports Corps) blocked an attack to clinch the first set.
With momentum on their side, South Korea dominated the second set, winning by a margin of nine points.
In the third set, South Korea maintained control, reaching 20 points first with a back-row attack from Jae-young Lim (Korean Air) and another service ace from Heo. They continued to build their lead, completing the match with a 3-0 victory.
With two wins in the exhibition series, the team is set to compete in the 2026 AVC Asian Championship, taking place in Fukuoka, Japan, from September 4 to 13. The championship's winning team will earn a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while the top three teams will secure berths in the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup.
Following the Asian Championship, the team will head directly to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. After suffering a disappointing early exit in the last Hangzhou Games, South Korea's men's volleyball team aims to restore its pride in this upcoming competition.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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