Ulsan host a Pohang side whose attack has gone quiet, while Ulsan's creator and finisher are both in form and they still have second place to fight for. In the KOVO Cup semifinal, KAL are the better team, but they come in on their fourth match in six days against a Woori core that was rested. One match is about who can create, the other about whether the stronger side can hold its level for three straight sets.
Ulsan's link runs through Lee Dong-gyeong, who has a goal or an assist in five straight games, into Yago, who has 16 goals. Lee's set-piece delivery gives them a second route that does not need open play. Pohang have scored 0.7 a game over their last ten, with six blanks, and are being outshot roughly two to one. Their best route is a wide cross from Wanderson or Kang Min-jun, or a set piece.
The Pohang path is real: they won 1-0 in Ulsan in May, and Ulsan have lost six at home this season. But that win came before Pohang's drought, and Ulsan's current home run is four wins with three goals conceded. Ulsan sit three points clear of two teams for second, while Pohang have little at stake in the league and travel to Kashima four days later. No absence matters here: Ulsan's key pair are fit, and Pohang list nobody out.
Expect Ulsan on the ball and Pohang compact. Once Ulsan score, Pohang have to open up, and they have not been producing enough to answer more than once. That's why I'm backing Ulsan to win.
In the volleyball, KAL spread the ball through veteran setter Han Sun-soo to Ketrzynski, Im Dong-hyuk and Jeong Ji-seok, and their serve and block beat Hyundai in straight sets. But KAL have lost a set by nine points twice in this cup, 16-25 to Samsung and to OK, both times when their reception was stretched, and their head coach is out.
Woori rested Arauzo and Kim Hyeong-geun in the last group match, after both had played well against KB. Even without them, Han Tae-joon's quick tempo took the first two sets off Kepco. Woori have not been beaten in straight sets in their last ten.
KAL should win most sets, but a sweep asks a tired side to hold its level for three sets in a row, while Woori need only one good spell. That's why I'm siding with Woori to take at least a set.
