The South Korean women’s handball team advanced to its 11th consecutive Olympic Games with a come-from-behind victory over Japan in enemy territory.
The Korean women’s handball team, led by head coach Henrik Signell (SWE), defeated Japan 25-24 on Wednesday in Hiroshima, Japan, in the fourth and final match of the Asian Qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
With the hard-fought victory over Japan, which had the advantage of home court in front of a packed stadium of 1,450 fans, South Korea finished the qualifier atop the standings with a 4-0 record and a direct ticket to the Olympic Games.
The qualifiers were held in a pool format with five countries, including China, Kazakhstan, India, and Japan, with only the top-ranked team qualifying for the Olympic Games.
The winner of the match between Korea and Japan would advance to the main event.
After finishing in second place with three wins and one loss, Japan will make one last push to qualify for the Olympic Games in the final qualifier against other continental nations.
The South Korean women’s handball team, which holds the record for the most consecutive Olympic Games appearances for both men and women, extended its record to 11 with this victory.
Korea has qualified for the Olympic Games every time since Los Angeles 1984. With the exception of Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, the team has advanced directly to the Olympic Games from the Asian Qualifiers.
Signell, who was appointed in April, was given a further boost to his leadership when he led South Korea to the Olympic Games in his debut.
However, South Korea hasn’t finished in the medals since the bronze medal in Beijing in 2008.
“Realistically speaking, we are not close to the medal table. There are 10 to 15 European countries that are better than us,” he said, “and it may take more than a year to catch them. Of course, I hope I’m wrong.”
Kang Kyung-min (Gwangju City Corporation) was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
With Korea’s offense struggling to find the back of the net, either through saves by Japan’s goalkeeper Sakura Kametani or turnovers, Japan quickly raced to a 5-0 lead with back-to-back goals from Yuki Yoshidome and Kaho Nakayama.
The Koreans, who regrouped in the timeout called by Signell, began to chip away at the deficit with a goal by Kim Bo-eun (Samcheok City Hall) at the 5:40 mark of the first half.
Korea tied the game for the first time at 13-13 with 26:50 left in the first half on a high, leaping shot from the right-center circle by Lee Im-kyung (Busan Facilities Corporation).
At the 11:10 mark of the second half, Im gave Korea its first lead of the game, 19-18, with a shot over the defense from the frontcourt.
With the score tied, Shin Eun-joo (Incheon City Hall) scored at 27:10 of the second half to give Korea a 24-23 lead.
The ensuing Japanese attack was blocked and Korea took the lead.
In the 29th minute of the second half, the pendulum swung firmly in Korea’s favor when Ryu Eunhee (Gyori, Hungary) rattled the net.
The players celebrated by hugging Coach Signel as they realized they were headed to Paris.
Kim Bo-eun was the top scorer with six points, while Shin Eun-joo, Ryu Eun-hee and Kang Kyung-min (Gwangju City Corporation) also contributed with four goals each.
Olympic Games Paris 2024 Women’s Handball Asia Qualification Results 토토사이트
