OK Financial Group won the set score 3-1 (25-19 25-15 21-25 25-23) in an away game against Woori Card in the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul on the 10th.
OK Financial Group, which has won four consecutive games, has recorded 33 points (12 wins and 10 losses) to rank fourth, beating over Hyundai Capital (31 points, 9 wins and 13 losses). It is five points shorter than the third-ranked Korean Air (38 points). Woori Card, which suffered its first three consecutive losses this season, is losing its No. 1 ranking.
OK Financial Group, “Big fish”. We got our credit card again
On this day, Woori Card threw a winning move to change the main setter from Han Tae-joon to Lee Seung-won to escape the losing streak, but it was not effective in front of OK Financial Group’s momentum.
OK Financial Group brought the first set first by scoring 12 points, including Leonardo Leiva Martinez (registered name Leo) hitting an open attack and blocking the rear attack of opposing foreign striker Mattei Kok (registered name Mattei).
The second set was more overwhelming. Leo shook Woori Card’s receiving line with his powerful serve, scoring seven consecutive goals. Woori Card’s receiving efficiency dropped to 10 percent. OK Financial Group also secured the second set with 10 points difference, as Park Chang-sung and Park Sung-jin blocked Kim Ji-han’s spike at 23-15.
Woori Card couldn’t quit as it was. The setter was changed to Han Tae-jun again, and Kim Ji-han came back to life. At 14-14, when Mattei and Lee Sang-hyun were leading the game with consecutive goals, they won three sets and recovered one set.
But that was it. Woori Card faced off 11-11 in the fourth set, but OK Financial Group read the opponent’s attack route and took the lead by blocking. Bayarsai Batsu (registered name Bayarsaihan) and Song Hee-chae roared, catching consecutive blocks.
Leo also came to the end of the game. He finished the game with a sharp rear attack at match point.
Leo also exploded on the day. He scored 36 points, including four serve aces and two blocks. On top of that, Shin Ho-jin scored 11 points and Cha Ji-hwan scored 10 points.
Behind the powerful firepower of OK Financial Group was Bu Yong-chan as Rivero. In his 12th year since debuting as a pro, Bu Yong-chan has become a “scene stealer” by blocking Woori Card’s attacks throughout the game with his hustle play.
Bu Yong-chan, who used to be criticized for his excellent digs but weak receptions, has seen his playing time increase as his receiving ability has improved recently. On the same day, he recorded 13 receptions and 12 digs.
“I want to praise Bu Yong-chan, who is not very noticeable,” Ok Financial Group’s coach Oh Gi-no said after the game, adding, “Thanks to Bu Yong-chan, we have lost a lot of serve aces, and we are communicating clearly who will receive the serve.”
OK Financial Group’s victory was also a message to the late Choi Hong-seok. Prior to the match, players from Woori Card and OK Financial Group paid tribute to Choi Hong-seok, who played for the past two teams.
Choi Hong-seok, who was selected by Woori Card as the No. 1 rookie draft in the 2011-2012 season, won the Triple Crown for the first time as a rookie, and retired after playing for KEPCO and OK Financial Group.
Choi Hong-seok, who worked as a commentator after retirement and continued his relationship with the volleyball world, died at the young age of 35 the previous day.