The South Korean women’s national volleyball team is gearing up for a pivotal clash against Japan on August 16 at Jinju Indoor Stadium in South Gyeongsang Province, marking the fourth game of the 2025 Korea Invitational Tournament.

This match will be the 150th official encounter between the senior women’s volleyball teams of Korea and Japan since their head-to-head rivalry began in 1964.

Historically, Japan has had the upper hand, boasting 94 wins to Korea’s 55, with the Korean squad currently enduring a four-game losing streak. Korea’s golden era in the rivalry began after a commanding 3-0 victory in the 1975 Montreal Olympic qualifiers, sparking a remarkable run of 12 consecutive wins against Japan.

Over the years, the series has seen dramatic swings in momentum. Between a 0-3 loss at the 2005 Grand Prix and the Beijing Olympic qualifiers in 2008, Korea suffered 11 straight defeats. Yet, in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Korea bounced back emphatically, sweeping Japan 3-0 to secure a silver medal.

The Korean team has also managed crucial victories at major events such as the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers, the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

However, the absence of Kim Yeon Koung, who retired from international play in August 2021, has left the Korean women’s team at a disadvantage in recent encounters with Japan. Since 2022, Korea has faced Japan four times in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), losing all matches 0-3 and extending their losing streak.

This year, Korea finished at the bottom among 18 participating countries in the VNL with a 1-11 record, meaning they will not participate in next year’s league.

Meanwhile, Japan showcased their depth by fielding mainly second-string players but still defeated France 3-1 in the opening match of the Korea Invitational on August 12. In contrast, Korea fell to Argentina 1-3 on the same day, with notable struggles including only one point scored by star player Kang So Hwi.

Head coach Fernando Morales emphasized the significance of the upcoming match, stating, “We are always aware that Japan is our rival in every sport. Our players are determined to win, and we will do everything possible to claim victory.”

With the Korea-Japan rivalry reigniting after a two-month break, attention is now focused on whether Korea can end their losing streak and reclaim their momentum.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News