South Korea's men's basketball team has returned to the top of the Asian Games, defeating host nation Japan. The team finished the tournament with a perfect record, winning all six games and overcoming the disappointment of an early exit in the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
Under the guidance of head coach Nicolas Majul, South Korea triumphed 67-57 in the final held at the Aichi-Nagoya International Arena in Japan on September 20. This victory marks South Korea's fifth Asian Games gold medal, following wins in 1970 Bangkok, 1982 New Delhi, 2002 Busan, and 2014 Incheon.
The standout player was Lee Hyun-jung, who recorded a double-double with 27 points and 18 rebounds. Lee Jung-hyun also contributed significantly with 14 points and 7 assists.
The game started off challenging for South Korea. Although they initially took the lead with Lee Hyun-jung's three-pointer, they struggled against Japan's aggressive defense, ending the first quarter down 12-16. In the second quarter, South Korea improved their defensive focus, with Lee Jung-hyun orchestrating plays and Choi Jun-yong scoring inside, allowing them to tie the game at 28-28 by halftime.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter as South Korea began to pull ahead. After Byun Jun-hyung hit a three-pointer, Lee Hyun-jung followed with consecutive three-pointers, giving South Korea a lead. With contributions from Lee Jung-hyun and Lee Woo-seok, South Korea finished the third quarter ahead 55-47. Lee Hyun-jung consistently scored whenever Japan attempted to close the gap.
In the fourth quarter, Lee Hyun-jung continued to score, helping South Korea extend their lead to as much as 11 points. Despite Japan's late push, South Korea maintained their advantage. With 11 seconds remaining, Lee Hyun-jung sealed the victory by making two free throws, finalizing the score at 67-57.
South Korea not only defeated Japan in the final but also in the group stage, where they won 100-83, marking a successful campaign against the host nation. This victory continues a trend of South Korea winning the Asian Games every 12 years, following their triumphs in 2002 and 2014. Additionally, this gold medal is South Korea's first at an away Asian Games since the 1982 New Delhi event.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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