North Korea U23 Overcome Hong Kong in Four-Set Battle

North Korea U23 women’s volleyball team secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Hong Kong U23 in the 2019 Asian Championship U23 Women on July 17. The match, played at 16:00 in Hanoi, delivered the most competitive contest of the day as Hong Kong pushed the North Koreans all the way.

Match Overview

North Korea opened strongly, using their disciplined team system to take the first set 25-22. Hong Kong responded with improved serving and sharper attacking in the second set, eventually leveling the match with a balanced performance to take it 25-23. The reaction from North Korea was immediate, with the team regrouping after the interval to regain control.

Set scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, and 25-16 showed North Korea’s ability to raise their level at key moments. Hong Kong competed courageously, but North Korea’s block-defense system became increasingly effective as the match went on, limiting Hong Kong’s chances in the decisive phases.

Turning Point

The third set proved crucial. After Hong Kong had stolen the second set, North Korea came out with renewed intensity, applied strong service pressure, and built an early lead that they never surrendered. That momentum carried into the fourth set, where Hong Kong’s resistance finally broke.

Bigger Picture

• North Korea: The victory kept them on track in the group stage and demonstrated the depth of their women’s volleyball program.
• Hong Kong: Although they lost, Hong Kong showed they could compete at this level and took a set from a strong opponent.
• Tournament context: The match added another layer of competition to the Asian U23 Championship, proving that several teams were capable of causing upsets.

For North Korea, the four-set win was about more than just the result—it was a test of composure and patience against an opponent that refused to go away quietly.