Japan’s women’s volleyball team defeated North Korea 3-1 in Saturday’s final to retain the International Women’s Volleyball Tournament (VTV-Eximbank Cup 2012), while the Vietnamese girls lost 3-2 to South Korea to finish fourth. 

Japan won the first set 25-19, then romped the second 25-16. North Korea won the third 13-10. However, the Japanese girls eased to victory in the fourth 25-19 to pick up the first prize of US$8,000.

Earlier in the day, the Vietnamese girls performed well in the first set to win 25-17, South Korea won the second and third set 25-20 and 25-21 before Vietnam leveled the tie with a 25-15 score. The Koreans, though, won the decisive set 16-14.

Second-placed North Korea netted US$5,000 and South Korea pocketed US$3,000.

In addition, North Korea’s Jong Jin Sim won best player award, while the Australian team won the fair play award.

Vietnam Television (VTV) organized the tournament for the ninth time in the northern province of Vinh Phuc from July 14-21.

The seven-day tournament drew teams from Thailand, China, Australia, South Korea, the North Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

This was a great opportunity for the Vietnamese players to sharpen their skills in preparation for the upcoming Asian Cup Volleyball Championships in October.

SGT