How did South Korea lose to Japan in the Asian Games women’s volleyball semifinals?

Japan defeated South Korea in straight sets, with South Korea staying close early in the first two sets before falling behind. Japan pulled away after key runs in the first and third sets, and South Korea never recovered.

When will South Korea play Thailand for the Asian Games women’s volleyball bronze medal?

South Korea will face Thailand at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the bronze medal match. The team dropped into that contest after losing to Japan in the semifinals.

What was South Korea’s route to the Asian Games women’s volleyball semifinals?

South Korea went undefeated in the group phase and then eliminated Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. That run ended with a loss to host Japan in the semifinal.

Asian Games S. Korea loses to Japan to drop to bronze medal match in women's volleyball

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Summary

South Korea lost to Japan in the semifinals of the women’s volleyball tournament at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Monday. Japan won 3-0, sending South Korea to the bronze medal match against Thailand. South Korea will play Thailand at 4 p.m. Tuesday for the bronze medal. South Korea was seeking its first gold since 2014.

Key Facts

Japan beat South Korea 3-0 with set scores of 25-22, 25-22 and 25-16 at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, just north of Nagoya.
South Korea had gone undefeated in the group phase and beat Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals before losing in the semifinal.
South Korea missed the podium at the 2023 Asian Games and has never gone consecutive Asian Games without a women’s volleyball medal.
Na Hyun-soo led South Korea with 14 points, while four Japan players scored in double figures.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 21, 2026 10:03 pm KST

Yuk Seo-young of South Korea, right, hits a spike against Japan during the teams' semifinal match in the women's volleyball tournament at the Asian Games at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, Japan, Monday. Yonhap

NAGOYA, Japan — South Korea lost to Japan in the semifinals of the women's volleyball tournament at the Asian Games on Monday, dropping to the bronze medal contest against Thailand.

Japan defeated South Korea in straight sets, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-16) in the semifinals at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, just north of Nagoya.

South Korea went undefeated in the group phase and eliminated Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals but could not get past the host country in its quest for its first gold since 2014.

South Korea will take on Thailand at 4 p.m. Tuesday with the bronze medal on the line. South Korea missed the podium at the 2023 Asian Games and has never gone consecutive Asiads without a women's volleyball medal.

South Korea stayed close in the first set. But down 14-13, South Korea fell further back on an ace and blocks by Japan.

In the second set, South Korea briefly led before falling back 21-19. South Korea got a couple of points back while down 23-19 but ran out of steam.

South Korea conceded four straight points in one stretch to go down 12-6. South Korea cut it to 13-11 but did not get close again.

Na Hyun-soo scored a team-high 14 points, but no one else scored in double figures. Four players scored in double digits for Japan.

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