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The U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team has a chance on the final day of second-round play to clinch a spot in the semifinals for ninth place at the World Championship.
Less than 24 hours after upsetting No. 2 Russia, No. 9 United States will play No. 19 Korea in its consolation second-round pool-play finale at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. EST) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The United States enters today in third place in Pool H, while Korea is in last place. The top two teams in Pool H following the three-match consolation second round will advance to play for a ninth-place finish in the 16-team international tournament.
Check out what to know about this second-round match between the United States and Korea.
No. 9 United States (2-3, 1-1 Pool H, 2 pts.) vs. No. 19 Korea (0-5, 0-2 Pool H, 1 pts.)
Match vitals: 6 p.m. (5 p.m. EST) in Buenos Aires
Follow live: Live stats
Last medal finish at World Championship: United States (never); Korea (1993 bronze)
Incoming or current NCAA players on roster: United States (nine); Korea (zero)
What to know: The United States will need some help, but it can end the second round in the top two of its pool and remain eligible for a ninth-place finish at the World Championship. The United States enters its second-round pool-play finale in third place and trailing second-place Russia by one point. The easiest way for the United States to finish Pool H in second place would be if it defeats Korea in three or four games and Russia loses its pool-play finale to first-place Iran. However, the United States could potentially finish in second with a win and if Russia wins in five games, depending on the point differential tie-breaker. The United States defeated Russia in five games on Thursday to snap its three-match losing streak at the World championship, which included a loss to Iran in its second-round opener. Outside attacker Matthew Tarantino, a Pepperdine incoming freshman recruit, in the victory had a match-high 19 kills. Korea enters its match today still searching for its first victory at the international tournament. After losing all three matches in the first round, Korea in the second round lost to Russia in five games on Wednesday and to Iran in four games on Thursday. Korea outside attacker Gyeong-Bok Na led the team with at least 20 kills in each of its two second-round losses.