South Korea Women's Volleyball Loses to Thailand in Bronze Medal Match, Leaving Empty-Handed for Second Consecutive Asian Games [AG Video]

The South Korean women's national volleyball team (world No. 28) has failed to win a medal for the second consecutive Asian Games.

Led by head coach Cha Sang-hyun, the national team lost 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 23-25) to Thailand (No. 13) in the bronze medal match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, today (the 22nd).

Following a loss to Japan (No. 6) yesterday, South Korea failed to overcome the wall of Thailand, the champions of the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, wrapping up the tournament without a medal.

This marks only the third time in history that the South Korean women's volleyball team has finished an Asian Games without a medal, following the 1962 Jakarta Games, a 5th-place finish at the 2006 Doha Games, a 5th-place finish at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, and now a 4th-place finish.

In today's match, the national team took an 8-5 lead early in the first set, but was hindered by questionable calls.

Consecutive overnet and carry foul calls were issued against Kim Da-in, and while head coach Cha Sang-hyun strongly protested, the calls were not overturned.
 
Afterward, the national team was shaken by the versatile offensive leadership of Thai setter Pornpun Guedpard (known as Pornpun during her V-League career), who previously played in the V-League, and dropped the first set.

In the following second set, unstable receptions became a stumbling block.

Leading 11-9, Yuk Seo-young failed to properly handle the opponent's targeted serve, giving up five consecutive points and allowing a turnaround. The team then failed to block Thailand's sharp slide and quick attacks, losing the second set as well.

The final third set remained a tight contest until the very end.

The national team chased down to a 22-22 tie, looking for a turning point, but Yuk Seo-young's attacks went out of bounds consecutively at the decisive moment, resulting in a disappointing defeat.

In today's match, captain Kang So-hwi fought hard with a team-high 10 points and Lee Da-hyun added 9 points, but they could not prevent the team's defeat.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.