[Asian Games] South Korea Rugby, at the Threshold of Victory... Silver Medal After 17 Years

Aiming for Gold Medal After 21 Years
But Lost 7-14 to Hong Kong in the Final

The South Korean rugby sevens team’s bid for an Asian Games gold medal for the first time in 21 years was thwarted at the doorstep of victory.

Led by coach Lee Myung-geun, the rugby sevens team narrowly lost 7-14 to Hong Kong in the final of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held on the 26th at the Changqian Campus Stadium of Hangzhou Normal University in Zhejiang Province, China, securing the silver medal. This marks the first time in 17 years since the 2006 Doha Games that South Korean rugby has won a silver medal at the Asian Games.

On the afternoon of the 26th, at Hangzhou Normal University in Zhejiang Province, China, the South Korean national team showed a disappointed expression after losing to Hong Kong in the final of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games 7s Rugby.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The last Asian Games gold medal was won at the 2002 Busan Games. Coach Lee, who played as a player at that time, formed the starting lineup centered on veterans such as Kim Chan-ju (Korea University), Lee Jin-gyu, Jeong Yeon-sik (both Hyundai Glovis), Kim Nam-wook, Jang Yong-heung, Kim Hyun-soo, and Hwang In-jo (all Korea Electric Power Corporation).

However, Hong Kong took control from the early stages of the match. About seven minutes into the first half, the team conceded a try and a conversion kick, allowing 7 points at once. During injury time of the first half, they also conceded a try (5 points) by Liam Doherty and a conversion kick (2 points) by Russell Webb, falling behind 0-14.

The team rallied early in the second half. Within three minutes of the second half, ace Jang Yong-heung scored a try, and Kim Ui-tae (Armed Forces Sports Unit) successfully kicked the conversion, bringing the team within 7 points. However, they failed to score any additional points and ultimately settled for the silver medal.

South Korea challenged for the gold medal for the first time in 21 years in this tournament. At the 2006 Doha Asian Games, South Korea suffered a heartbreaking comeback defeat to Japan in the final and took silver. In the three subsequent tournaments, they only managed bronze medals, and this time again, they could not overcome the final hurdle.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.