The South Korean women’s basketball team has advanced to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals will feature a fateful Korea-Japan matchup.
The South Korean women’s basketball team, led by head coach Chung Sun-min, defeated “dark horse” Philippines 93-71 in the Women’s Basketball Quarterfinals at the Shaoxing Olympic Sports Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China on Tuesday (Feb. 2).
With the victory, South Korea continued its dominance in the quarterfinals after winning all three of its group games.
After missing the third game of the group stage due to a thigh injury, “National Treasure” center Park Ji-soo (KB Stars) returned to the court. She didn’t play a lot of minutes (14), but she did her part with 15 points and two rebounds.
Park Ji-soo is still not fully fit, so it was a big boost for him to play on a rested day.
The other players did a good job of not forcing Park Ji-soo to play. Sharpshooter Kang Isul (KB Stars) poured in 15 points, including four three-pointers, while starting guard Park Ji-hyun (Woori Bank) chipped in with 14 points. Shin Ji-hyun (Hana OneQ) chipped in with 12 points.
This completes the four-way matchup between Korea and Japan. Japan defeated Indonesia in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal matchup between South Korea and Japan will take place on March 3 at 9 p.m. at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium.
Japan is a rival and a formidable opponent. They are ranked 9th in the world by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). That’s four spots above FIBA’s 13th-ranked South Korea.
Japan also won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Seven of the 12 members of Japan’s silver medal-winning women’s basketball team from the Tokyo Olympics are back for the Asian Games.
But Chung is determined to win the gold medal nine years after the 2014 Incheon Games, thanks to his tight organization and intense determination. To do so, they will have to overcome Japan.
Meanwhile, North Korea, who competed in the same group as South Korea, also made it to the quarterfinals. They will face the hosts, China, in the final.
Meanwhile, in the men’s basketball game on the 토토사이트 same day, South Korea, led by Chu Il-seung, defeated Bahrain 88-73. The men’s basketball team will face China in the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals will be held on March 3 at 1 p.m. South Korea will have the added physical burden of returning to the court about 14 hours after the Bahrain game.