▲ The national water polo team poses for a commemorative photo during the Korea Swimming Federation national swimming team media day event at the Jincheon National Training Center in Chungcheongbuk-do on the 25th.
The South Korean men's water polo national team secured a thrilling one-goal victory against Hong Kong after a fierce slugfest, wrapping up the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in fifth place.
South Korea defeated Hong Kong 16-15 in the men's 5th-6th place classification match held at the Rainbow Pool of the Nagoya Municipal Gymnasium in Japan today (the 3rd).
A fierce exchange of goals continued throughout the match.
South Korea had a smooth start, taking a 3-1 lead in the first quarter, and finished the first half ahead 9-6 after a high-scoring battle in the second quarter.
Entering the third quarter, South Korea fell behind 4-5 amid Hong Kong's fierce counterattack, allowing the gap to narrow to two goals at 13-11.
The tight contest continued into the final fourth quarter, but South Korea added three goals to hold off Hong Kong's rally of four goals and secured a 16-15 victory.
In the attack, Kwon Dae-yong led the team to victory by scoring five goals alone.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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