Korea delivers Japan first speedhump on road to Rio while Italy continues to impress

A feisty serving display by Korea has dealt host nation Japan its first loss at the Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, while Italy continues to impress and The Netherlands bounced back to the winners’ list.

Japan had no answer to the power serving of 25-year-old Kim Hee-Jin, who put Korea into a winning position before star player Kim Yeon-Koung finished the hosts off.

Hee-Jin finished with five aces and the Koreans nine altogether, in a telling statistic that ultimately decided the grudge match.

The much anticipated clash between The Netherlands and Thailand turned out to be a one-sided affair, with the Dutch bouncing back after its loss to Korea on Sunday to play what coach Giovanni Guidetti described as ‘almost the perfect game’.

The Netherlands defeated Thailand 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-20) in a match many believed would go …

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