Why was Korea’s men’s handball coach still praising the team after losing to Qatar at the Asian Games?

Cho Young-shin said the players competed on equal terms for 60 minutes and never gave up. He said their resolve and determination to win were stronger than the opponent’s, even though Qatar pulled away in the end.

What happened in Korea’s semifinal against Qatar at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games?

Korea lost 32-20 in the men’s handball semifinal at Entrio in Inazawa, just northwest of Nagoya. The match was close in the first half and for the first 20 minutes of the second half before Qatar finished strong.

What is next for Korea’s men’s handball team after missing the Asian Games final?

Korea will face Japan in the bronze medal match on Tuesday. Cho said the team did not want to lose a match it could not afford to lose and would do its best to win the final game.

Men's handball coach praises players despite semifinal loss to Qatar at Asian Games

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Summary

Korea’s men’s handball coach Cho Young-shin praised his players after they lost 32-20 to defending champion Qatar in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games semifinal in Inazawa, Japan, on Monday. He said the team played on equal terms for 60 minutes and showed strong resolve despite the defeat. Korea will now face Japan in the bronze medal match on Tuesday.

Key Facts

Korea lost 32-20 to Qatar in the semifinal at Entrio in Inazawa, just northwest of Nagoya, Japan.
Cho Young-shin broke into tears after the semifinal and said he was proud of his players.
Qatar is seeking its fourth consecutive Asian Games title.
Korea had won gold in men’s handball at the 2010 Asian Games, then took silver in 2014, bronze in 2018, and missed the podium in 2023.
Korea will play Japan in the bronze medal match on Tuesday.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 28, 2026 9:44 pm KST

Korean players applaud together with Qatari players after losing to Qatar in the men's handball semifinal for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Entrio in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Monday. Yonhap

INAZAWA, Japan — After losing their berth in the men's handball final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Monday, Korea's head coach praised his players for competing on equal terms with defending champion Qatar.

"I told my players that I'm proud of them. We lost the match, but our players did well," said Cho Young-shin, who broke into tears after the semifinal.

"I think our players' resolve and determination to win were much bigger than those of the opponent."

Korea lost to Qatar 32-20 in the event's semifinal at Entrio in Inazawa, just northwest of Nagoya, Japan.

The team fought a seesaw battle in the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half against Qatar, which is seeking its fourth consecutive Asian Games title.

But Korea failed to make a comeback in the end.

"From an objective perspective, the Qatari team, pursuing its fourth consecutive Asian Games gold, is about seven to three better than us, I think," he said.

"But our players played on equal terms for 60 minutes, never giving up and showing all they have."

Korea had sought its first gold medal in men's handball since 2010, when it beat Iran in the final.

After winning gold at the 2010 Asian Games, Korea won silver in 2014 and bronze in 2018, while failing to reach the podium in 2023.

However, the team's Asian Games campaign is not over, as it will take on Japan in the bronze medal match on Tuesday.

"Yes, we have one more match tomorrow, and we face Japan at its home," Cho said, adding that the home fans' enthusiastic support would give a boost to the Japanese team.

"But we don't want to lose a match we can't afford to lose. We'll do our best to win the next and final match."

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