South Korea beats China to advance to 2026 Asian Games basketball final

Overcoming Size Deficits With Speed and Outside Shooting

Entering the match with a No. 14 ranking from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) against a No. 7-ranked Chinese side, South Korea faced a towering frontcourt challenge, which included 224-centimeter Zhang Ziyu. Rather than attempting to match China's interior presence, South Korea leaned heavily on floor spacing and long-range accuracy.

South Korea attempted 41 three-point field goals, converting 12 of them. Conversely, China failed to hit a single three-pointer throughout the contest. While China dominated the boards with a 52-30 rebounding advantage, their ball control faltered under defensive pressure, committing 18 turnovers compared to just six for South Korea.

Fourth-Quarter Surge Decides the Semifinal

The match remained tightly contested until the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Trailing late, South Korea mounted a decisive rally when Choi Yi-sam connected from beyond the arc with four minutes and 26 seconds remaining to narrow the deficit to 73-74. Kang Lee-seul followed with a basket at the 3:20 mark to flip the score to 75-74.

Lee Ha-ran and Lee So-hee then added consecutive three-pointers to stretch the lead to 81-76. Although China narrowed the gap to 81-80 with 56.2 seconds left on the clock, South Korea maintained its composure. Lee Ha-ran converted critical free throws, and the team secured additional points against late intentional fouling to preserve the five-point victory.

Balanced Scoring Propels South Korea Forward

Lee So-hee led the winning effort with 23 points and six rebounds, while Lee Ha-ran contributed 22 points and six rebounds. Captain Kang Lee-seul added 16 points and four rebounds. Meanwhile, Huh Ye-eun, who earned MVP honors in the Women's Korean Basketball League championship series last season, orchestrated the offense with nine points and nine assists.

Playing without key personnel Park Ji-hyun and Park Ji-su, South Korea constructed a streamlined 11-player roster for the competition. Head coach Park Soo-ho utilized a strategy centered on team chemistry, perimeter execution, and swift ball movement, a tactical approach that culminated in the semifinal upset over China.

Next Steps in the Gold Medal Chase

With the victory, South Korea stands one win away from capturing its first Asian Games gold medal in 12 years. The program previously claimed titles at the 1978 Bangkok, 1990 Beijing, 1994 Hiroshima, and 2014 Incheon editions of the tournament. South Korea will face the winner of the semifinal between Japan and Chinese Taipei in the gold medal match.