(LEAD) (Asiad) S. Korea loses to Japan to drop to bronze medal match in women's volleyball
NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea lost to Japan in the semifinals of the women's volleyball tournament at the Asian Games on Monday, dropping to the bronze medal contest against Thailand.
Japan defeated South Korea in straight sets, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-16) in the semifinals at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, just north of Nagoya.
South Korea went undefeated in the group phase and eliminated Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals but could not get past the host country in its quest for its first gold since 2014.
Yuk Seo-young of South Korea (R) hits a spike against Japan during the teams' semifinal match in the women's volleyball tournament at the Asian Games at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, Japan, on Sept. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
South Korea will take on Thailand at 4 p.m. Tuesday with the bronze medal on the line. South Korea missed the podium at the 2023 Asian Games and has never gone consecutive Asiads without a women's volleyball medal.
South Korea stayed close in the first set. But down 14-13, South Korea fell further back on an ace and blocks by Japan.
In the second set, South Korea briefly led before falling back 21-19. South Korea got a couple of points back while down 23-19 but ran out of steam.
South Korea conceded four straight points in one stretch to go down 12-6. South Korea cut it to 13-11 but did not get close again.
Na Hyun-soo scored a team-high 14 points, but no one else scored in double figures. Four players scored in double digits for Japan.
South Korean players walk off the court after losing to Japan in the semifinals of the women's volleyball tournament at the Asian Games at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, Japan, on Sept. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
South Korea head coach Cha Sang-hyun conceded defeat to a superior side, saying Japan played with more precision.
"Although we lost the match, our players never gave up until the end. I want to compliment them for that effort," Cha said. "Japan hit such hard serves that we could barely return them. We have to try harder to narrow the gap."
There is no time to wallow in this loss for South Korea, with the bronze medal contest coming up in less than 24 hours.
"The schedule has been really tight, but our players are hanging tough," Cha said. "Tomorrow will be our last match, and we will give it everything we have left. Thailand has a powerful attack and a savvy setter. We have to find ways to handle their serves."
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