Hyundai E&C and Heungkuk Life Insurance. This season’s V-League women’s division is a Yanggang system. As of the 12th, Hyundai E&C is in first place with 19 wins and 2 losses (53 points), and Heungkuk Life Insurance is closely following with 16 wins and 5 losses (48 points). The gap between them and the mid-tier teams is about 20 points. This is why the match between the two teams is called the ‘preview championship match’.
The current situation is not easy for either side. Leading Hyundai E&C lost Yasmin “Jupo” due to injury. Yasmin is an irreplaceable player who has led the team in scoring this season with an average of 27.6 points per game. Except for Elisabeth (KGC Ginseng Corporation), who is recording an average of 31 points per game, it is the highest level in the league. As Yang Hyo-jin said, “I can’t help but feel the vacancy of Yasmin.” 스포츠토토
However, the bad news of Hyundai E&C is a problem that time will solve. Yasmin is currently in her third week of rehab. Kang Seong-hyung, manager of Hyundai E&C, said, “We set the time to return in the 5th round.” The first game of the 5th round of Hyundai E&C is against GS Caltex on February 2nd. If they survive the remaining 3 games, they will be able to return to full form again.
On the other hand, Heungkuk Life Insurance is struggling. Heungkuk Life Insurance gained momentum by winning a visit to Hyundai E&C on December 29 last year. However, at the beginning of this year, former head coach Kwon Soon-chan was suddenly sacked, and the team fell into chaos. Head coach Lee Young-soo, who served as acting manager after Kwon, resigned, and new manager Kim Ki-joong, appointed by the club, declined the position of head coach.
Acting manager Kim Dae-gyeong is said to be doing his best, but lack of experience can be a variable at any time. Acting Kim is 36 years old this year, only one year older than Kim Yeon-kyung. Ten days ago, he was in a position that he could not even have imagined that he would be acting as an agent. There is an urgent need to appoint a new commander. However, with Kim Yeon-kyung saying, “I can’t trust the new coach the club will bring,” the entire volleyball world as well as the players is distrustful, and it is not even possible to appoint a new coach within the season.
As such, the situation favors Hyundai E&C. In particular, Hyundai E&C won 3-2 without Yasmin in the visit to Heungkuk Life Insurance held in Incheon on the 11th. However, it is a variable that Heungkuk Life Insurance players are united in the ordeal and display their fighting spirit. On this day as well, Heungkuk Life Insurance showed the potential to chase up to 2-2 in a situation where the set score was pushed to 0-2.
Can the two teams who are going through a cold winter smile warmly in the coming spring? Hyundai E&C will play Ginseng Corporation on the 14th, and Heungkuk Life Insurance will play Pepper Savings Bank on the 15th.