“I felt deeply apologetic because both the players and I desperately wanted to win medals.”
The South Korean men’s volleyball team, led by Brazilian coach Issanayê Ramires, fell short of securing a medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Despite this setback, Ramires praised the team’s growth, noting they held their own against formidable opponents.
On Thursday, South Korea faced Iran in a nail-biting quarterfinal match at the Central General Sports Park Gymnasium in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture. The team suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss with a score of 2-3 (23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 12-15).
Missing out on the semifinals means South Korea has now failed to medal in consecutive Asian Games, following their disappointment at the 2023 Hangzhou event.
In a post-match interview, Coach Ramires expressed his emotions: It promised himself and the players that it’d bring home a medal. Everyone was so determined to achieve that goal, and he feel a deep sense of regret for falling short. He got choked up thinking, Could I have done more for these players?
South Korea started the tournament on a high note, notching victories against the Philippines and Taiwan. However, they hit a snag in their final group match, dropping a five-set thriller to China.
Finishing second in Group D, South Korea faced the unenviable task of meeting Iran, a powerhouse gunning for their fourth straight title, in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, they couldn’t overcome this formidable obstacle.
However, the team showed plenty of fight. South Korea put on an impressive display against Iran, even leading 2-1 through three sets and showcasing their competitive spirit throughout the match.
Coach Ramires reflected on the team’s progress, saying that he’s watched men’s volleyball improve each season. The players on the national team still have room to grow. It’s working tirelessly to recapture the glory days.
He highlighted the valiant efforts of Heo Soo-bong and Lim Dong-hyuk in the quarterfinals, who racked up 22 and 18 points respectively. However, the absence of Lim Seong-jin, sidelined with an ankle injury from the China match, was keenly felt.
Regarding Lim’s injury, Coach Ramires remarked that Lim Seong-jin was playing at an elite level when he got hurt. Rather than dwelling on his absence, it prepared other players to step up. He’s hopeful Lim will make a swift recovery and get back on the court to showcase his volleyball skills.
While South Korea battled hard against both China and Iran, they ultimately came up short. Coach Ramires emphasized the importance of gaining experience through matches against top-tier competition.
He elaborated that elite teams serve with incredible variety. While the serve reception has improved, it still needs to develop further. It’s crucial to keep facing strong teams to gain that valuable experience. These opportunities are key to the players’ continued growth.
Reflecting on his three-year tenure as the first foreign head coach of the men’s volleyball team since 2024, Ramires stated that they’ve become stronger, the system has taken root, and they’ve made significant strides mentally.
He continued that in the past, when faced with pressure or adversity, it sometimes threw in the towel early. Now, even in defeat, the players fight for every point until the final whistle. The team has become much more resilient.
On Friday, South Korea will face India in the 5th to 8th place playoffs. Coach Ramires emphasized the importance of this match, saying that tomorrow’s game is crucial for them, and it’ll leave everything on the court.