South Korea Defeats China 85-80 to Reach Asian Games Final

Semifinal Turning Points and Game Flow

South Korea faced a difficult start at the Aichi International Arena, trailing 17-19 after the opening quarter and falling behind 36-41 by halftime as China utilized its height advantage. However, head coach Park Su-ho’s squad shifted momentum in the third period by finding success from beyond the arc, narrowing the deficit to 61-64 heading into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, trailing 62-69, Kang Lee-sul sparked a crucial run by sinking back-to-back three-pointers. With South Korea holding a narrow 81-80 lead late in the game, China’s 2-meter-23-centimeter center Zhang Ziyu committed an unsportsmanlike foul. Lee Ha-ran and Lee So-hee capitalized on the opportunity by converting four consecutive clutch free throws to seal the 85-80 triumph.

Standout Performances Propel South Korea

South Korea’s offense relied on dynamic backcourt and frontcourt scoring down the stretch. Lee So-hee led the charge with 23 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Lee Ha-ran added 22 points and six rebounds. Kang Lee-sul contributed 16 points, hitting key perimeter shots when the team needed to erase China’s lead. The victory puts South Korea into the Asian Games final, where the team will chase a gold medal for the first time since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, mirroring the men’s national team’s pursuit of a title against Japan.

Chinese Media and Critics React to the Defeat

The semifinal loss triggered heavy criticism from Chinese media outlets and basketball analysts. Sina Sports reported that the defeat left officials and fans deeply disappointed, noting that prominent basketball commentator Yang Yi sharply criticized the performance by stating that Chinese women’s basketball resembled “Song dynasty basketball” rather than “Qing dynasty basketball”, expressing shock that the team failed to make a single three-pointer throughout the match. Sina Sports also pointed out that three Chinese players combined for 36 minutes of playing time while scoring only one point, questioning whether their performances met national team standards despite prior training camps and shooting drills.

Looking Ahead to the Gold Medal Match

South Korea advances directly to the tournament’s final fixture to face Japan with the Asian Games gold medal on the line. The final match marks the culmination of a tournament run that saw South Korea sweep Group C with wins over Malaysia, Mongolia, and Taiwan, followed by a quarterfinal victory over Indonesia ahead of the semifinal win against China.