Asian champions Australia beat South Korea on the opening day of the men's World Cup volleyball tournament on Sunday. Asian bronze medallists South Korea were 14-13 up in the final set before Australia finally took control for a hard-fought 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 29-27 victory.
"This was a very tough match because Korea have a strong history," said Australia's coach Russell Borgeaud, after his squad repeated its five-set victory over the Koreans in the Asian championships.
"Our young players were not consistent today, so this is a subject to address in the World Cup and give the players experience of this high level of play. But we had the confidence to get the win throughout the game."
Australian captain Benjamin Hardy was happy to play his part. "For Australia to be in the World Cup for the first time in our history is fantastic. Even at 33-years-old, I had goose bumps on the back of my neck when I walked into the stadium for the first time," Hardy said.
"The match was very exciting for everyone at the end and it was a good showcase for volleyball. Anything could have happened," he added. South Korean captain Shin Young-Soo said it was a match his team "should have won."
"I believe the first match is very important but we must forget it and think about the next one. We are a young team and we don't have a lot of experience. We have nothing to lose," he said.
The top three finishers in the 12-team round robin qualify for the Beijing Olympics next year. In other games, 1999 champions Russia beat Argentina 25-16, 25-22, 25-17, while Tunisia silenced a home crowd to beat hosts Japan 22-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 16-14.
US STUNS:
In Matsumoto, 180 kilometres (112 miles) west of Tokyo, the United States pulled off the biggest surprise of the day when they shocked world champions Brazil 28-26, 30-28, 25-20.
"It is a tough beginning," said Brazilian coach Bernardo Resende. "We have to climb a big mountain. I hope this team can show their strength tomorrow against Spain. It is a decisive match."
US coach Hugh McCutcheon said they had a "short time to enjoy this win."
"We still have many matches to go," he said. "The focus is the goal of the tournament and not just the one victory."
Also in Matsumoto earlier in the day, world bronze medallists Bulgaria stunned European champions Spain 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 25-17, while Puerto Rico overcame African champions Egypt 25-17, 25-19, 25-17.
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