*This content was translated by AI.
"I think those two games are going to be really important."
Lee Young-taek (49), head coach of GS Caltex in Seoul, immediately thought about his next schedule after breaking the two-game losing streak. I tried to relieve the burden on the players, but the players also know the importance.
GS Caltex won a set-score 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-14) shutdown in the home game of Daejeon Jeonggwanjang and Jin Air 2025-2026 V-League at Jangchung Gymnasium in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 20th.
GS Caltex won two consecutive games, recording 11 wins and 12 losses and 33 points. Although the ranking has not been reversed, it has narrowed the gap with fourth place, Hwaseong IBK Industrial Bank (36 points).
For GS Caltex, which had been mired in two consecutive losses, the lowest-ranked Jeonggwanjang match was a game in which it had to win unconditionally. Before the game, head coach Lee Young-taek said, "I always have a desire to win every game. The last game was so bad that I'm looking forward to it today, hoping to show a good performance on the court," he said.
As young players are building teams, the burden of important games is still playing a big role. Manager Lee said, "As a result, a more rigid play came out than I could," adding, "I feel pressured because I am young and not experienced, but I have to overcome that part for growth."
Now next is Heungkuk Life. It is a team that has won four consecutive games under coach Tomoko Yoshihara's brilliant leadership. He is leading with 2 wins and 1 loss in three face-to-face encounters this season, but he was a very demanding opponent as he headed to the full set even when he won. In the ranking, Heungkuk Life Insurance (41 points) is also in third place, closely trailing second-place Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction (42 points).
Coach Lee Young-taek said after the game, "We will go on an expedition to Heungkuk Life ahead of the All-Star break, and after the break, we will play Heungkuk Life for the first time in the fifth round. "I think those two games will be really important," he said, expressing his hope, "In the current game, if possible, I would like to catch both games."
However, they are trying to ease the burden on players who already feel the pressure easily. He intends to make the players prepare as usual. "I'm the only one trying to think (about Heungkuk Life). I don't want to put pressure on the players. There was a game where the performance was not good because it was a burden to the players if they said, "It's a must-see game" or "It's an important game." I'll only think about myself and the coaching staff, he said. "I only have two days left, and fortunately it ended quickly today. I will try to recover well," he said.
The low age of the team is both an advantage and a weakness. Leading them is not an easy task. Director Lee said, "We do everything in our power. There are times when I say bitter things, and I release them or soothe them as much as I want. Staff are making a lot of efforts to keep the atmosphere good, he said. "Since they are young players and have not had much experience playing, there are cases where they can't contract if they push too much. To be honest, I haven't found an answer yet, but I'll try everything I can to lead it to the end of the season," he said.
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*This content was translated by AI.
