The South Korean softball national team, pursuing its first-ever Asian Games medal, suffered a painful comeback defeat.

The national team lost 7-3 to the Philippines in their third round-robin match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Anjo Softball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, today (28th), after blowing a 3-0 lead by surrendering seven runs in the 6th inning.

South Korea started with a win against Thailand in its first match, but has since suffered consecutive losses to China and the Philippines.

The Philippines is a powerhouse that finished fourth for three consecutive Asian Games up to the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

Korea took an early 3-0 lead in the 4th inning with an RBI double by Rhee Min-jung (Gyeongnam Sports Council) combined with Kim A-young's (Incheon Metropolitan City Sports Council) two-run home run over right-center field.

However, the team collapsed all at once in the bottom of the 6th inning, allowing a three-run homer and a flurry of eight hits.

Softball features eight participating countries, with medals determined through a round-robin format.

South Korea will play its fourth match against Hong Kong tomorrow at 1:15 PM.

(Photo courtesy of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee, Yonhap News)