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- We are focused on the quarter-final, which is why we won't try too hard in our last group stage match against Cameroon - said Korea's coach, Lee Jung Chul, after their defeat to Brazil in the last game. That is a significant statement, Korea advanced to the quarter-final, and in order to avoid the 4th position and USA, they need to win a set against Cameroon today. There is no room for calculations, Korea will be playing the second game of the day, and they can only guess who they will face in the quarter-final. Regardless of their opponents, they will not be the favorites, but they could cause an upset with a great performance. I am almost sure that Kim will not be playing much today, if at all. I also expect their first setter Lee Hyo Hee and receiver Kim Heejin to stay on the bench. To keep things short, I expect South Korea to play this game with a mixed squad, with complete focus on the quarter-final that will be played on Tuesday.
My experience tells me it will be that way, and the same thing happened at the Olympics qualifying tournament in May, Korea played the last game with reserve players after they secured their qualification. Kim is too important for them not to spare her in this irrelevant match, Lee Jung Chul probably believes he can win this with reserves, aware that the new tournament starts on Tuesday with the quarter-final.
Cameroon have been performing above expectations in Rio, they have been the best of all African teams, they were close to defeating Argentina, close to Russia in two sets. They will not be relaxing, they cherish these games and they will play this one at their maximum, even try to win if they get the chance. This handicap would have been too high even if Korea needed the win, and if the game had been played in the second or third round.
Cameroon lost to Russia by 11, to Japan by 23, to Brazil by 27 at the start when they were still impressed with everything in Rio. They were even with Argentina, whom South Korea defeated by 14 points. Honestly, I expected today's margin on handicap of points to be around that number considering the circumstances.