*This content was translated by AI.View Original
The South Korean women's basketball team has overcome even the wall of 'defending champion' China. They defeated China's towering height, anchored by '223cm monster center' Zhang Ziwai, to secure a thrilling comeback victory.
Under head coach Park Soo-ho, the South Korean Yeo Ja-nong-gu (CEO) team defeated China 85-80 in the women's basketball semi-finals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan, on the 25th.
South Korea has reached the Asian Games finals for the first time since the 2014 Incheon tournament, marking a 12-year return to the championship stage.
Now, just one victory stands between them and the gold medal. The women's basketball final will be held on the 26th. South Korea will face the winner of the Japan-Taiwan semi-final for the gold medal.
On this day, Lee So-hee (Busan BNK) led the team to victory with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Lee Hae-ran (Yongin Samsung Life) added 22 points and six rebounds. Heo Ye-eun (Cheongju KB) scored nine points, and Jin An (Bucheon Hana Bank) contributed eight points.
Team captain Kang Yi-seul also demonstrated her ace presence at crucial moments. Kang recorded 16 points, including two three-pointers. The highlight came in the fourth quarter. Despite having missed all eight of her previous three-point attempts, she sank consecutive outside shots at the most critical juncture, laying the foundation for a dramatic turnaround.
As expected, it was not an easy match. From the early stages, China targeted the paint with Zhang Ziwai leading the charge. Leveraging their overwhelming height advantage, they recorded a high two-point shooting percentage and pressured South Korea.
However, South Korea stood firm with its signature fast breaks and aggressive drives.
After trailing 17-19 at the end of the first quarter, South Korea took a 26-25 lead in the second quarter thanks to Lee So-hee's bold drive to the basket. After scoring, Lee So-hee roared loudly to boost the team's momentum.
However, China's height advantage reasserted itself. South Korea struggled to hit outside shots and lost the rebound battle, falling behind 26-33 once again.
Still, they did not collapse easily. Lee Hae-ran made a jump shot, and Lee So-hee joined in on scoring to lead the comeback effort.
Near the end of the second quarter, Heo Ye-eun hit an important three-pointer to narrow the gap to 34-37. It was a precious shot from South Korea's struggling perimeter offense.
Jin An also aggressively attacked the paint. After drawing a foul, she converted both free throws to make it 36-39.
With China adding one more point, the first half ended 36-41. However, South Korea maintained a gap that allowed for a sufficient comeback.
Indeed, South Korea's counterattack intensified in the third quarter. After Lee Hae-ran scored, Heo Ye-eun finished off a fast break to tie the game at 41-41. Then Lee So-hee hit a three-pointer to take a 44-43 lead and flip the momentum.
Although it seemed South Korea had seized control, China once again targeted the paint with Zhang Ziwai leading the way.
South Korea did not back down. After a series of fluid passes, Lee Hae-ran made a jump shot. Later, they even drew an offensive foul against Zhang Ziwai, engaging in direct confrontation.
With 1 minute and 5 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Lee So-hee stepped up as the savior once more. Her bold three-point attempt from outside swished through the rim, tying the game at 61-61 for South Korea.
However, China scored consecutive points near the end of the period, and the third quarter concluded with South Korea trailing 61-65.
Facing a four-point deficit entering the final quarter, South Korea encountered another crisis. As China targeted the paint with Zhang Ziwai leading the charge, South Korea fell behind 62-69, extending the gap to seven points.
At a moment when defeat seemed imminent, captain Kang Yi-seul woke up. After missing all eight of her three-point attempts through the first three quarters, Kang finally hit an outside shot to narrow the score to 65-69.
The revived shooting touch immediately exploded again.
As Kang Yi-seul sank another three-pointer, the score quickly tightened to 68-69, just one point apart.
Defense also strengthened. Jung Hyun (Bucheon Hana Bank) blocked a crucial shot, cutting off China's attack.
When China tried to pull away again, Choi Yi-saem stepped up this time. She converted a three-pointer that had rarely fallen, bolstering South Korea's comeback effort at a critical moment.
Having completely seized the momentum, South Korea finally achieved the comeback victory.
With Lee Hae-ran also hitting a three-pointer, South Korea took a 78-74 lead. Then, Lee So-hee delivered a decisive outside shot to seal the advantage.
Ultimately, South Korea wore the smile of victory. Drawing fouls from China in the final moments, they secured a thrilling win and advanced to the finals.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.View Original
