The Doosan Men’s Handball Team, led by coach Yoon Kyung-shin, won 23-21 (15-10 in the first half) in the first leg of the 2020-2021 handball Korea League men’s championship match against Incheon City Corporation, held at SK Hawks Arena in Cheongju on the 13th at 5 pm 6 Increased the likelihood of a consolidated champion for the year straight.
18-18 equalizer in the second half, moment of climax
With 27 seconds left for the first half, Doosan center-back Jung Jeong-kyung’s jump shot, and the score widened to 15-9. It wasn’t surprising as Doosan won six goals by 25-19 against Incheon City Corporation on the 16th of last month. However, the Incheon City Corporation players did not give up at all. Just before the end of the first half, the seasoned yet fast-paced recovery goal of Shim Jae-bok exploded, and the half-time began with a 5 goal difference (15-10).
In the second half after half-time, the difference in score gradually decreased, so I did not know that it would lead to a tie situation. Since the two teams faced against each other four times in the Korea League this season, Doosan showed a relative advantage with 3 wins and 1 loss, so few people would have expected a tie situation in the second half of the first leg of the championship match.
Doosan only scored two more goals until 15 minutes of the second half. While Doosan was blocked by the opponent’s defensive wall and swayed, Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation added 6 goals and followed up to 1 goal. Incheon City Corporation’s front jump shot made the scoreboard 16-17, making viewers sweat.
Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation’s defensive organization, with goalkeeper Lee Chang-woo’s super save, eventually tied 18-18. After 17 minutes of the second half, IIAC newcomer Joseph Lee’s 9-meter surprise shot and Choi Hyun-geun’s right wing attack succeeded in succession. With this atmosphere, Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation seemed to turn the tide. However, goalkeeper Park Chan-young, who is guarding the goal of Doosan on the other side, did not shake.
Incheon City Corporation pivot player Jeong Jin-ho shot a no-mark shot from 6 meters at 18 minutes 44 seconds, but Doosan goalkeeper Park Chan-young showed off his super-saving ability to overcome the crisis of reversal. This moment was the most breathtaking moment in the first leg of the championship decision. For Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation, it was worth recalling the memory of winning the first game 23-22 against Doosan in the Korea League this season on November 27 last year and surprising everyone.
However, Doosan’s ability to be an integrated champion for six years in a row was revealed at the end of the second half. At the decisive moment with an efficient attack, the main players of the opposing team Incheon Metropolitan City were sent out for two minutes in a row. In 20 minutes 29 seconds Park Dong-hyun and 22 minutes 9 seconds Choi Hyun-geun were kicked out from 19 minutes 18 seconds after Ha Min-ho’s 2-minute exit. This dangerous foul resulted in receiving a red card and being sent off regardless of the remaining time.
Meanwhile, Doosan broke through the gaps of Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation, tied the goals of Gangjeon-gu and Kim Dong-myeong and ran to the four goal difference (23-19). Still, the Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation players who did not give up, followed up with two goals with the last two minutes left, making them more excited about the second game. Seven seconds before the end, it was an impressive moment that newcomer Lee Joseph succeeded in attacking the left wing after receiving an assist pass following a super save by goalkeeper Lee Chang-woo.
Incheon City Corporation players’ persistent play that followed by two goals until the last moment showed a slight embarrassment to the Doosan players, and Incheon City Corporation was the end to gain confidence that they could try to turn over enough in the second game. The second leg of the championship decision will be held at the same place on the 15th (Mon) at 5pm.
2020-2021 Handball Korea League Men’s Champion Match 1st leg result
(13th 5pm, SK Hawks Arena, Cheongju)
★ Doosan 23-21 (first half 15-10) Incheon City Corporation
◇ Scoring record
Kang Jeon-gu 7 goals (shooting success rate 70%), Jeong Jeong-kyung 6 goals (shooting success rate 42.9%), Cho Tae-hoon 3 goals (shooting success rate 37.5%), Kim Dong-myeong 3 goals (shooting success rate 100%), Lee Han-sol 2 goals (shooting success rate 40%) ), Na Seung-do 2 goals (100% shot success rate)-Sang Doosan
Ha Min-ho 4 goals (shooting success rate 50%), Sim Jae-bok 3 goals (shooting success rate 75%), Go Gyeong-soo 3 goals (shooting success rate 50%), Choi Hyun-geun 3 goals (shooting success rate 50%), Jeong Jin-ho 3 goals (shooting success rate 75%), Lee Joseph 2 goals (shooting success rate 66.7%), Park Young-jun 1 goal (shooting success rate 100%), Park Soo-cheol 1 goal (shooting success rate 100%), Baek Sunghan 1 goal (shooting success rate 33.3%)-Sang Incheon City Corporation
◇ Goalkeeper record
Chanyoung Park: 12 saves (37.5% saving rate) / Shinhak Kim: 1 save (50% saving rate)-Doosan and above
Changwoo Lee: 15 saves (44.1% saving rate)-Above Incheon Metropolitan City Corporation
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