Korea's Handball Team Rallies Past Kuwait in Asian Games Opener
Facing a stubborn Kuwait defense, Korea's men's handball squad clawed back from deficits to claim a 26-23 victory in Inazawa.
Key points
- South Korea defeated Kuwait 26-23 in the first Group B match of the 20th Asian Games.
- Jinyoung Kim was the top scorer with six goals, including decisive 7-meter throws.
- Goalkeeper Kim Dong-wook provided critical saves in the final minutes to secure the lead.
The air inside Entrio Stadium hums with the friction of rubber soles against the polished floor. In Aichi, the Korean men's handball team faced a mirror image of their earlier struggles, but this time, the script broke. What looked like a stalemate against Kuwait dissolved into a decisive rally, capped by a final whistle that silenced the opposing crowd.
Coach Cho Young-shin’s squad did not arrive with the luxury of expectation. Memories of the January Asian Championship lingered, suggesting a grind rather than a glide. Yet, as the first Group B match unfolded, the narrative shifted. The game was a tug-of-war, goal for goal, until Korea’s concentration sharpened in the closing minutes, turning a defensive stand into a three-point win.
A Tug-of-War in the First Half
The opening minutes saw Korea strike first, a 2-0 burst of energy that evaporated quickly. Kuwait answered with counterattacks that sliced through the Korean defense, flipping the lead to 8-6. The scoreboard became a pendulum, swinging back and forth as both teams traded blows. By the end of the first half, the score was locked at 12-12, a testament to the tight, breathless exchange of possession.
Kuwait’s pressure was relentless, utilizing the 'empty net' tactic—pulling their goalkeeper to add a seventh field player. This aggressive shift exposed gaps in Korea’s attack, forcing them to adapt. The rhythm of the game slowed, heavy with tactical chess rather than raw speed, as both sides probed for weaknesses in the opposing formation.
Defensive Pivots and Late Surges
The second half opened with more chaos, the score fluctuating between 13-12 and 14-13. The turning point arrived in a flash of speed. Lee Joseph broke through the line, his movement creating space that Song Jae-woo exploited with a fastball. That single sequence broke the deadlock, putting Korea ahead for the first time in the second half.
From there, the offense ignited. Kim Tae-kwan’s shots and Song Jae-woo’s wing strikes landed in rapid succession, stretching the lead to 17-15. Kuwait refused to yield, closing the gap again, but the momentum had shifted. The Korean defense, anchored by Kim Dong-wook, began to dictate the pace, blocking key attempts and feeding the attackers with precision.
Decisive Throws Seal the Victory
With the clock winding down, the game came down to nerve. Jinyoung Kim stepped to the line, his 7-meter throw finding the back of the net to make it 23-22. Kim Rak-chan followed with a breakthrough, widening the margin. The final minutes were a test of endurance, Kuwait chasing desperately, but Korea’s composure held.
The final goal came from the same spot, Jinyoung Kim converting under pressure to set the score at 26-23. It was a victory built on grit, with Park Jae-yong and Kim Dong-wook making crucial saves in the goal. As reported by mk.co.kr, this win marks a significant reset for the team, proving they can survive the pressure of the Asian Games when it matters most.
