The Korean women's national basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 78‑77 defeat to Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday, a match that served as the final competitive tune‑up before the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin and the Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya.
A Late‑Game Decider
Korea had built a comfortable lead early, with Heo Ye‑eun opening the scoring from deep and Kang Lee‑seul and Choi I‑saem adding momentum in the first quarter. The team, anchored by Lee Hae‑ran’s 17 points and five rebounds, extended their advantage through the middle stages, while Park Soo‑ho’s coaching staff kept the tempo high.
Japan, fielded by the Japan Basketball Association, responded with a balanced attack led by Kokoro Tanaka, who finished with 18 points and delivered the decisive three‑pointer with seconds left on the clock. Tanaka’s shot not only sealed a 78‑77 victory but also underscored the narrow margin that defined the contest.
Key Performances and Absences
Kang Lee‑seul topped the Korean scoring sheet with 20 points, five rebounds and four three‑pointers, while Choi contributed 13 points and Jin added nine points and six rebounds. Hong Yu‑sun also chipped in with solid defense and five points, and center Park Ji‑su was unavailable due to ankle surgery, forcing Korea to adjust their interior play.
Despite the loss, the match offered valuable experience for a Korean squad that will travel to Berlin for the World Cup from September 4 to 13 and then head to the Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya from September 17 to 26. Coach Park Soo‑ho praised his players’ effort and highlighted the need to tighten defensive rotations before the upcoming tournaments.