The South Korean men's hockey team is keeping its hopes alive for a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Under the guidance of head coach Min Tae-seok, South Korea defeated Sri Lanka 5-0 in their fourth group stage match held on September 26 at the Gifu Prefectural Kakamigahara Green Stadium.
After victories over Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, South Korea suffered a loss to India, finishing third in the group with 9 points and a goal difference of 9. They fell short in goal difference to Japan, who are in second place with 9 points and a goal difference of 25, having played one fewer match.
In hockey, the top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals. Rankings are determined by points, number of wins, and goal difference. A win earns 3 points, while a draw gives 1 point.
To secure a place in the semifinals, South Korea must win their final group match against Japan. This crucial match is scheduled for 5 PM on the 28th at the same venue.
South Korea previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.