▲ The South Korean rugby national team
The South Korean rugby national team, aiming to reach the Asian Games final for the second consecutive time, recorded one win and one loss on the first day of the group stage.
South Korea narrowly lost 14-24 to tournament favorite Japan in their second Group B match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held today (October 1).
In the earlier first match, South Korea thoroughly defeated Thailand 24-7, but the wall proved high against Japan, which reigns alongside Hong Kong as one of Asia's two rugby powerhouses.
South Korea conceded the opening try and conversion kick just 41 seconds into the first half against Japan, falling behind 0-7.
Kim Seon-jong scored a try 2 minutes and 53 seconds into the first half, and Jang Hyun-gu successfully kicked the conversion to tie the game at 7-7, but South Korea allowed Japan to retake the lead, ending the first half down 7-14.
In the second half, South Korea gave up an additional try to Japan, widening the gap to 7-19.
Without giving up, South Korea closed the gap to 14-19 with a try by Oh Dong-ho and a conversion kick by Jang Hyun-gu 3 minutes and 35 seconds into the second half.
However, near the end of the match at 5 minutes and 30 seconds of the second half, South Korea conceded a decisive try to Japan and ultimately lost 14-24.
Placed in Group B alongside Japan, Kazakhstan, and Thailand for this tournament, South Korea sits in second place behind Japan and will play its final group stage match against Kazakhstan tomorrow (October 2).
South Korean rugby, which swept the gold medals at the 1998 Bangkok and 2002 Busan Asian Games, has since struggled against the dual dominance of Hong Kong and Japan.
At the previous 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, the team signaled a revival by reaching the final for the first time in 17 years and capturing a silver medal.
The team is aiming for a second consecutive appearance in the final and a gold medal at this tournament as well.
(Photo courtesy of Korea Rugby Union, Yonhap News)
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