How did South Korea beat Vietnam in women’s handball at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games?

South Korea controlled the match from the start, opening a 7-2 lead in the first 10 minutes and limiting Vietnam to just two goals in the final nine minutes of the first half. It then pulled away further after halftime and closed with a 13-3 run.

Who led South Korea’s scoring against Vietnam in women’s handball?

Jo Eun-been led South Korea with eight goals. Lee Hye-won and Cha Seo-yeon each added seven goals in the balanced attack.

Why does South Korea’s win over Vietnam set up a final showdown with Japan?

The women’s handball tournament uses round-robin standings instead of a knockout bracket, and the top team after all seven nations play once will take the gold. South Korea and Japan were the only undefeated teams after Saturday, so their Sunday match will decide the title.

S. Korea beats Vietnam in women's handball, sets up final showdown vs. Japan

Listen

Summary

South Korea trounced Vietnam 46-18 in women’s handball at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, extending its winning streak to five and setting up a gold-medal showdown with Japan. Jo Eun-been scored eight goals, while Lee Hye-won and Cha Seo-yeon added seven each. The winner of Sunday’s round-robin match will take the gold medal.

Key Facts

South Korea led 7-2 in the first 10 minutes and held Vietnam to two goals in the final nine minutes of the first half.
South Korea was ahead 33-15 midway through the second half and finished on a 13-3 run.
The women’s handball competition has no knockout stage, and all seven teams play each other once for medal positions.
South Korea and Japan were the only undefeated teams through Saturday, each with five wins.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 26, 2026 8:49 pm KST

Woo Bitna of South Korea attempts a shot against Kazakhstan during the teams' second match of the women's handball tournament at the Asian Games at Kasugai City Gymnasium in Kasugai, Japan, Sept. 20. Yonhap

NAGOYA, Japan, — South Korea trounced Vietnam 46-18 for its fifth consecutive victory in women's handball at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, setting up a final showdown against the defending champion Japan with the gold medal at stake.

Jo Eun-been led the balanced attack with eight goals at Entrio in Inazawa, just northwest of Nagoya, while Lee Hye-won and Cha Seo-yeon contributed seven goals each.

The outcome was hardly in doubt, as South Korea built a 7-2 lead in the first 10 minutes and held Vietnam to just two goals in the final nine minutes of the first half.

South Korea led 33-15 midway through the second half and finished the contest on a 13-3 run.

The women's handball competition here does not feature a knockout stage. Instead, all seven teams will play each other once and medals will be awarded based on their final round-robin standings.

Through Saturday, South Korea and Japan are the only undefeated nations, with five wins apiece, and the winner of their matchup Sunday will take the gold medal.

Women's handball was added to the Asian Games in 1990, and South Korea won the first five straight gold medals and six of the first seven. In the 2023 Asiad final, South Korea lost to Japan 29-19.

Explore More