Women's handball seeks revenge vs. host Japan at Asian Games

JINCHEON, South Korea, September 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's women's handball team aims to reclaim its dominance in the sport at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, according to head coach Lee Kye-chung. The host nation, Japan, is expected to be a formidable opponent. Women's handball made its debut at the Asian Games in 1990, with South Korea securing seven of the nine gold medals awarded thus far.

However, they suffered a significant defeat to Japan in the gold medal match during the 2023 Asian Games, and again in the 2024 Asian Games final, losing 25-24. South Korea had previously won six consecutive Asian titles, with five of them coming at the expense of Japan. Lee expressed determination to avoid a similar outcome, attributing it to Japan's flawed defense.

The team has worked to enhance their defensive skills and communication, emphasizing the importance of minimizing mistakes and maintaining mental fortitude. The women's handball competition at the Asian Games will feature a round-robin format, with the top three teams advancing to medal rounds. South Korea will face Hong Kong on September 19, Kazakhstan on September 20, Uzbekistan on September 23, China on September 25, Vietnam on September 26, and Japan on September 27.

All matches will be held at Kasugai City Gymnasium and Entrio in Inazawa, northeast of Nagoya. Lee expects the South Korea-Japan matchup to be pivotal, possibly determining the gold medal.