Peng Shikun (second, right) of China spikes during a 2022 AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Cup match between China and South Korea in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, Aug 13, 2022. (WANG TENG / XINHUA)
NAKHON PATHOM, Thailand - China survived South Korea's match points in the fourth and fifth set for a breathtaking turnaround semifinal victory of 20-25, 25-17, 32-34, 29-27, 17-15 in the 2022 AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Cup for Men in Nakhon Pathom on Saturday.
Carrying the momentum of their 3-2 win against Australia on Friday in which they came back from two sets down, South Korea took the first set before China tied the match 1-1.
All the following three sets were decided after a tie-break. China failed to covert multiple set points in the third set, allowing South Korea to take the lead again 34-32.
READ MORE: China takes opening victory in AVC Cup
Zhang Jingyin (left) of China spikes during a 2022 AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Cup match between China and South Korea in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, Aug 13, 2022. (WANG TENG / XINHUA)
In a reversal of fate, South Korea wasted their match point in the fourth set with a service error. China came back from behind to level the match again 29-27.
South Korea reached match point first again in the deciding set, but China turned the match 16-15. In the following play, Zhang Guanhua's serve was first called out but was overturned by China's challenge, giving the thrilling match a dramatic end.
Players of China celebrate scoring during a 2022 AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Cup match between China and South Korea in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, Aug 13, 2022. (WANG TENG / XINHUA)
"I am so excited," said Zhang after the match. "It's a victory of teamwork. It couldn't have happened should any single one of us had not tried his best."
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China will face Japan, who defeated Bahrain in straight sets, in the final on Sunday.
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