South Korea men's volleyball team advances to semifinals after defeating Taiwan in five-set thriller

South Korea's men's national volleyball team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Taiwan in a grueling match that lasted over two hours. The win propelled the defending champions into the semifinals of the 2026 East Asia Championship held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Under coach Isanaye Ramirez, the 26th-ranked Korean team battled through five sets, ultimately triumphing 25:23, 22:25, 25:22, 21:25, and 24:22. This intense encounter followed their earlier decisive 3-1 win against long-time rivals Japan, ensuring South Korea topped Group B with an undefeated record. Regardless of their final group match against Macau, South Korea has guaranteed a place in the semifinals.

The match against Taiwan was a closely contested affair, with both teams scoring over 20 points in every set. The total points scored across all five sets were identical for both sides, highlighting the fierce competition. The fifth set alone saw nine deuce points before Shin Ho-jin sealed the victory with a crucial block.

Several players delivered strong performances for South Korea. Jung Han-yong led the team with 20 points, including three blocks and two service aces. Shin Ho-jin contributed 19 points, while Lim Seong-jin added 16, and Choi Jun-hyuk scored 12. Their combined efforts were instrumental in overcoming Taiwan's challenge.

This tournament is a critical stepping stone for the South Korean team, serving as a precursor to the Asian Men's Championship in Fukuoka, Japan, next month, and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The Asian Championship offers a direct qualification path to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for the winner, and a spot in the 2027 FIVB World Cup for the top three finishers.

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The fifth set saw nine deuce points before Shin Ho-jin sealed the victory with a crucial block.