The Korea rugby team recorded one win and one loss on the first day of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games group stage.
On October 1, Korea lost to Japan 14-24 in their second match of Group B after defeating Thailand 24-7 in their opening game.
In the match against Japan, Korea fell behind early, allowing a try and conversion just 41 seconds into the game, making it 0-7. However, Korea equalized at 7-7 with a try from Kim Seon-jong and a conversion kick by Jang Hyun-gu at 2 minutes and 53 seconds into the first half. Japan then scored again, ending the first half at 7-14.
In the second half, Japan extended their lead to 19-7 with another try. Korea responded with a try from Oh Dong-ho and a conversion kick from Jang Hyun-gu, narrowing the score to 14-19. But in the closing moments, Korea conceded another try to Japan, finishing the match at 14-24.
Korea, grouped with Japan, Kazakhstan, and Thailand in Group B, will face Kazakhstan in their final group match on October 2.
Korea reached the finals and won a silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and is aiming for a consecutive finals appearance in this tournament.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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