Women's basketball also achieved greatness! Victory in the final Korea-Japan showdown, winning the gold medal for the first time in 12 years... Men's and women's teams both crowned champions, a monumental feat [Nagoya On-the-Ground Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean women's national basketball team has reached the summit of the Asian Games for the first time in 12 years. Following the men's Nam Ja (CEO) team, the women's basketball team also capped off their campaign with a victory in the final Korea-Japan showdown.

Led by head coach Park Soo-ho, South Korea defeated Japan 75-70 in the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on the 26th.

With this victory, the women's basketball team has reached the pinnacle of the Asian Games for the first time since the 2014 Incheon edition, a span of 12 years.

Earlier, the Nam Ja-nong-gu (CEO) men's team also defeated Japan to claim the top spot, allowing South Korean men's and women's basketball teams to secure gold medals together for the first time in 12 years.

South Korea entered the match ranked 14th in the FIBA women's rankings, below Japan (9th), and had lost seven consecutive head-to-head encounters against them recently, making this victory all the more significant.

Although some Korean fans were present waving the national flag or wearing Yeo Ja (CEO) team jerseys, overcoming the one-sided support from Japanese home fans added further meaning to the win.

On this day, Lee Hae-ran contributed 24 points and 9 rebounds, while Kang Yi-seul added 21 points and 7 rebounds. Lee So-hee also bolstered the team's victory with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Additionally, Ahn Hye-ji recorded 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists; Jin An contributed 3 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; and Heo Ye-eun added 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

South Korea seized control from the first quarter. After taking an early 4-3 lead, Lee So-hee's fast-break three-pointer sparked a run, followed by consecutive scores from Jin An, Lee Hae-ran, and Kang Yi-seul, quickly extending the lead to 13-3.

With momentum on their side in the opening period, South Korea pushed forward with Lee Hae-ran leading the charge against Japan's defense. Park So-hee added strength from outside, allowing South Korea to take a 27-15 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Lee Hae-ran scored 11 points in the first quarter. South Korea dominated in field goal percentage at 60% compared to Japan's 32%.

South Korea maintained their momentum into the second quarter, opening with Kang Yi-seul's three-pointer and adding more points through Lee So-hee. Meanwhile, Japan failed to score for over three minutes early in the second quarter.

However, South Korea struggled to widen the gap due to inconsistent shooting both inside and outside. Fortunately, after securing consecutive offensive rebounds, Lee Hae-ran broke the silence with a powerful three-pointer from the perimeter.

As Japan's shooting accuracy declined further, the lead remained intact. Late in the second quarter, Lee So-hee scored near the basket and hit a buzzer-beater from long range, ending the first half with South Korea leading 42-23 by 19 points.

Having established control, South Korea maintained their focus. Although Japan tried to shift momentum, South Korea responded with Kang Yi-seul's jumper and scores near the basket from Lee Hae-ran and Ahn Hye-ji.

South Korea repeatedly thwarted Japan's comeback efforts as Lee Hae-ran and Kang Yi-seul continued to penetrate the basket. A three-pointer by Kang Yi-seul with 4 minutes and 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter extended South Korea's lead to 56-36, widening the gap to 20 points.

However, South Korea could not sustain their momentum. Japan began to regain strength both inside and outside, shifting the game's tone. Although Kang Yi-seul's three-pointer late in the third quarter seemed to halt Japan's surge, a buzzer-beater three-pointer by the opponent narrowed the gap to 12 points heading into the fourth quarter.

Japan's momentum fully returned early in the fourth quarter. While South Korea's shots from Lee Hae-ran and Kang Yi-seul fell short, consecutive scores by Santa Nana and Tanaka Ufuoma reduced the deficit to single digits. The atmosphere in the stadium, packed with Japanese home fans, grew increasingly heated.

Japan's relentless pursuit continued. As South Korea attempted to shift momentum with a score near the basket from Lee So-hee, Japan responded with an outside shot by Higurashi Suzuno, quickly narrowing the gap. A turnover by Lee Hae-ran led to a fast-break score by Okamoto Miyu, reducing the deficit to just 4 points at 66-62.

Immediately after a timeout, a violation by Kang Yi-seul nearly shifted momentum entirely. However, after an opponent's outside shot missed, Lee So-hee hit a mid-range jumper to change the tide. Kang Yi-seul then scored near the basket, and with five minutes remaining, the gap widened again to 70-62.

Both teams struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, keeping the game tightly contested until Owaki Haru's score near the basket with 2 minutes and 52 seconds left broke the deadlock. Kang Yi-seul's subsequent shot missed the rim, but Owaki converted both free throws. With 2 minutes and 15 seconds remaining, South Korea held a narrow 4-point lead.

Fortunately for South Korea, Lee Hae-ran was there. In a moment when momentum seemed to shift against them, she executed a surprise drive near the basket followed by a successful layup. Japan responded with another score near the basket, leaving 58.4 seconds on the clock and restoring South Korea's 4-point lead at 72-68.

A nail-biting final showdown. With 16.6 seconds remaining, Lee So-hee was fouled in a controversial call and committed her fifth foul, resulting in disqualification. After the opponent missed both free throws, South Korea secured an offensive rebound and scored near the basket, maintaining a 72-70 lead with 15 seconds left.

South Korea calmly converted two free throws earned by Kang Yi-seul through fouls. Japan attempted to respond with another foul play after Owaki's score near the basket was nullified. Lee Hae-ran made one of her free throws, and Japan's final offensive attempt failed. At the moment South Korea secured the gold medal, players rushed onto the court in celebration.

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*This content was translated by AI.