Korean Men’s Basketball Team Falls Short in Asian Cup Quarter-Finals
Key Moments and Statistics
- Korea lost to China 71-79 in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.
- This marks the first time Korea failed to reach the semi-finals since 2017.
- Korea’s three-point shot success rate was 12.5%, compared to China’s 28%.
Disappointing Finish Despite Bright Spots
The Korean men’s basketball team, ranked 53rd in the FIBA rankings, couldn’t overcome China (ranked 30th) in the quarter-finals held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 14th. Despite a commendable effort to close a 18-point gap in the third quarter, Korea ultimately fell short with an 8-point deficit in the final 31 seconds.
![Lee Hyun-joong [연합]](https://i0.wp.com/wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2025/08/15/rcv.YNA.20250713.PYH2025071308050006100_P1.jpg?w=1170&ssl=1)
Lessons Learned: The Importance of Inside Presence
Korean coach Ahn Jun-ho attributed the loss to their inability to solve China’s switch defense and poor three-point shooting. “We could not bring the game flow to China’s tall walls,” he said. “If there is a big man who will dominate the backboard, it will be much more eminent in Asia.”
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We could not bring the game flow to China’s tall walls. We should have increased the success rate of shooting, but three points were low due to the switch defense of opponents.‘There is a fans to be a life power.’”
Looking Ahead
The semi-finals will feature China against New Zealand, with the winners facing either Australia or Iran in the finals.
FAQs
- What was the final score of the Korea vs. China match?
- 71-79 in favor of China.
- When was the last time Korea failed to reach the Asian Cup semi-finals?
- 2017.
Did you know? Korea’s next stab at international glory will be at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
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Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or just looking for sport journal updates, it’s clear that Korea’s men’s basketball team has a bright future ahead. Despite the disappointing exit from this year’s Asian Cup, the ‘Golden Generation’ proved that they have the potential to make a splash on the international stage. Stay tuned to 247sports.news for more updates on Korean sports and beyond!