We have finally come to the end. In the final game, attention is focused on whether Heungkuk Life Insurance will keep the pride of the most prestigious club, and whether Korea Expressway Corporation will be able to achieve a ‘0% miracle’.
Heungkuk Life Insurance and Expressway Corporation will face off in the 5th round of the 2022-23 V-League Women’s Championship (3 out of 5) at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium on the 6th.
Heungkuk Life Insurance, who took first place in the regular league and went directly to the championship match, seemed to win the first and second games in succession at home and easily achieve a combined championship. However, Korea Expressway Corporation, which advanced to the championship match after going through the playoffs after finishing third in the regular league, won the 3rd and 4th games at home on the edge of the cliff and returned to the starting point with 2 wins and 2 losses.
The championship match between the two teams was overshadowed by the final winner in the last 5 games. This is the fourth time in the history of women’s professional volleyball that the championship match went to the final round, following the 2005-06, 2011-12, and 2013-14 seasons.
In the 2005-06 season, Heungkuk Life Insurance was driven to 1 win and 2 losses by the Korea Expressway Corporation, but won the 4th and 5th games to achieve a come-from-behind championship. In the 2011-12 season, Ginseng Corporation won the championship by winning the 1st, 3rd, and 5th games against Hyundai E&C. In the 2013-14 season, GS Caltex also achieved a dramatic victory by defeating IBK Industrial Bank in the 4th and 5th games. 먹튀검증
This season, several records were set for the first time. It is the first time that the Korea Expressway Corporation has won the 3rd and 4th games and reached the final game after giving up the 1st and 2nd games first. If the road construction wins the last 5 games and achieves a ‘reverse sweep’, it will achieve a more amazing ‘first’ record.
In addition, if the road construction wins the final championship, it will also set a record for the third-place team in the regular league to win the championship match for the third time after GS Caltex in the 2007-08 season and Heungkuk Life Insurance in the 2008-09 season.
On the other hand, if Heungkuk Life Insurance overcomes the road construction’s fierce challenge, it will achieve its 4th overall victory. This is by far the best record in the women’s division. Heungkuk Life Insurance is the only team in the history of women’s professional volleyball to win the combined championship more than once.
Looking at the current momentum alone, the road construction that has survived from the brink looks far ahead. The confidence that fell to the bottom after losing the first and second games is now skyrocketing.
After the fourth game, Kim Jong-min, head coach of Korea Expressway Corporation, said, “I felt that victory was possible when the players were trying to save even one.” “As this season started, experts also predicted our team to be ranked 5th and 6th, but we made a surprise, and the championship match came this far,” he emphasized.
On the contrary, Heungkuk Life Insurance, who has been driven to the edge of a cliff, is looking forward to the fact that Game 5 will be held at home again. Heungkuk Life Insurance showed a particularly strong aspect at home this season. Even in the championship match, he captured both the first and second matches held in the living room.
The fact that this 5th game could be the last game to play in Kim Yeon-kyung’s Heungkuk Life Insurance uniform is an element that further enhances the desire to compete. Kim Yeon-kyung becomes a free agent (FA) after this season. During the regular season, he also seriously confided in his retirement concerns.
The variable to win is stamina. Players of both teams are exhausted from the forced march of games every other day. Not to mention the road construction that went through the playoffs and reached the championship match, and Heungkuk Life Insurance players also noticeably dulled their movements in the 4th game.
Objective power or regular season records are meaningless. It is expected that the game will be decided in a battle of concentration on the day of the game. Coach Jong-min Kim said, “We brought a lot of atmosphere to our side,” but confessed his concerns, saying, “All the players are exhausted, so I’m concerned about that part.”
Heungkuk Life coach Marcello Avondanza, who pointed out the mentality of the players, said after the loss in the 4th game, “It is regrettable to miss a chance to the point that I wonder if I am afraid of winning.” I think I can,” he said.