*This content was translated by AI.
I didn't know that the place without the main gun would look so big. The Korean Air Jumbos, who lost Jung Ji-seok and Lim Jae-young, have lost three consecutive games.
Korean Air lost to Woori Card with a set score of 0-3 (23-25, 22-25, 22-25) in the fourth round of the men's regular league in Jin Air 2025-2026 V-League at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul on the 8th.
As a result, Korean Air, which has lost three consecutive games, failed to open a point gap with second-place Hyundai Capital (12-7, 38 points), with 14 wins and 6 losses (41 points). Woori Card, ranked 6th, trailed OK Savings Bank (9-11, 28 points) ranked 5th by 4 points with 8 wins and 12 losses (24 points).
It was a total catastrophe. Rafael Araujo (registered name Araujo) scored 20 points and Ali Hagparast (registered name Ali) scored 17 points, and Woori Card's double guns fired. On the other hand, Kyle Russell (registered Russell) was the only Korean Air player to score double-digit points with 24 points. In defense, he also showed a disappointing performance with 23% receiving efficiency and 21 errors.
After the game, Korean Air coach Henan Dal Zoto said, "Our current Woori Card is a strong team. I think it's the best of the season. "We showed a good performance in the serve today," he said, acknowledging the opponent and adding, "It's not an individual matter that our receiving was shaken. We have to think as a team and find and solve problems," he said.
What does it mean specifically to solve it in a team. Coach Henan felt greatly that Jung Ji-seok, the main catcher, and Lim Jae-young, who had been filling the vacancy well, were injured. Jung Ji-seok was found to be rehabilitated for eight weeks last month due to a ruptured ligament in his right ankle. In the match against Woori Card on the 28th of last month, Lim Jae-young went to the operating table due to cartilage damage in the meniscus of his left knee. Lim Jae-young is virtually out of the season with a minimum of five to six months.
Coach Henan said, "Our team's scenario has completely changed with the absence of the two main players. But that doesn't justify the situation just because two people were missing and lost," he stressed.
Tactical reasons were discussed. Coach Henan said, "There is no player who can take responsibility for the attack like Jung Ji-seok right now. When such a player was absent, a hexagonal outside heater like Jeong Han-yong filled the spot. But now, Jeong Han-yong is playing the role of Jung Ji-seok. And the balance was broken as a similar player replaced Jeong Han-yong."
"When I set up an offensive team around the world, I tend to set up offensive players and balanced players outside the field. But now we are lacking aggressive players, so we are thinking a little more about how to solve it," he added.
It was the same reason that veteran outside heater Kwak Seung-seok started in the first and second sets. Coach Henan said, "The main reason Kwak Seung-seok went out is that he is an experienced veteran. I believed that I could play the game skillfully. Jeong Han-yong is a similar player. I saw Jeong Han-yong focus on defense and receiving in the Korean national team, and Heo Soo-bong is in charge of the offensive part. Our team lacks such players right now," he said.
In the third set, it drew attention that Kim Kwan-woo (20), a second-year setter, played in place of Han (41). Young Libero Kang Seung-il (21) also started instead of Ryohei Lee (32). Manager Henan said, "Ryohei had a pelvic injury, so he replaced Kang Seung-il. Kim Kwan-woo is the main setter for the youth national team and the future of Korean volleyball. He also said, "I'm a good serve player, so I wanted to put the game on the serve."
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*This content was translated by AI.
