NAGOYA, Japan — South Korea’s women’s basketball team is one step closer to another Asian Games medal after powering past Indonesia 101–59 in the quarterfinals Thursday at Aichi International Arena.
The 42-point victory sent South Korea into the semifinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where it will face the winner of the Mongolia-China quarterfinal.
South Korea entered the knockout stage after finishing atop Group C with a perfect 3–0 record, having defeated Malaysia, Mongolia and Chinese Taipei during the group phase.
Seven Koreans reach double figures
South Korea’s biggest strength against Indonesia was its balanced scoring.
Seven players scored in double figures, while Choi I-saem led the team with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
Captain Kang Lee-seul added 11 points, including three 3-pointers, while guards Heo Ye-eun and An He-ji each recorded eight assists as South Korea repeatedly found open shooters and generated scoring opportunities.
The Koreans established control from the opening minutes, knocking down six 3-pointers in the first quarter to take a 28–18 lead.
The shooting continued in the second period, with South Korea adding four more long-range baskets and extending its advantage to 52–30 at halftime.
Indonesia briefly slowed South Korea’s momentum early in the third quarter, holding the Koreans scoreless for roughly three minutes. But South Korea soon regained its rhythm and entered the final period with a 71–43 advantage.
A 7–0 run to begin the fourth quarter effectively ended any remaining comeback hopes.
South Korea chasing another Asian Games title
The victory keeps alive South Korea’s pursuit of its first Asian Games women’s basketball gold since 2014, when it won the title on home soil in Incheon.
South Korea has won four women’s basketball gold medals in Asian Games history. China has won seven, including the previous two editions, while Japan has two, according to the Olympic Council of Asia.
The women’s tournament has therefore historically been dominated by the three East Asian powers.
This year’s knockout bracket could again produce a major showdown, with China and South Korea placed in the same half of the draw.
Men’s gold adds pressure — and motivation
South Korea’s women are also following a successful run by the country’s men’s basketball team.
The men captured the Asian Games gold medal earlier this week, defeating China in the final after a strong tournament campaign.
That success has raised expectations around the women’s team, with captain Kang Lee-seul saying the squad wants to match the men’s achievement.
Coach Park Soo-ho, meanwhile, described the Indonesia game as the team’s most satisfying performance of the tournament so far.
Still, the semifinal presents a much tougher challenge.
South Korea will have to maintain its perimeter shooting while improving its defensive consistency as the competition moves toward the medal rounds.
Semifinal showdown awaits
South Korea’s semifinal is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25.
Its opponent will be determined by the result of the Mongolia-China quarterfinal.
The Korean team has already demonstrated its depth, shooting ability and ability to create scoring opportunities through its guards. But with the tournament now down to the final four, another high-level performance will be required to keep its gold-medal campaign alive.
For South Korea, the mission is clear: turn a dominant quarterfinal victory into a place in the Asian Games women’s basketball final.
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