The South Korean men's basketball team, aiming to reclaim the Asian Games title for the first time in 12 years, faced a setback before their final match against host nation Japan due to a transportation oversight by the organizing committee.
Under the guidance of Latvian coach Nikolajs Mazulis, South Korea is set to compete against Japan at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya at 7:40 PM on the 20th. This match marks South Korea's first gold medal attempt since the 2014 Incheon Games and is the first-ever final between South Korea and Japan in Asian Games men's basketball history.
Prior to the evening game, the team had planned to conduct shooting drills at a separate gym to fine-tune their game skills. However, the transport vehicle scheduled to arrive at their accommodation around 10 AM failed to show up without any prior notice. Consequently, the team was forced to cancel their training session.
Given the significance of the match against the home team Japan, the operational disruption on such a crucial day has raised concerns among observers, with some suggesting it may be more than just an administrative error.
Earlier in the tournament, South Korea defeated Japan 100-83 in a group stage match on September 13.
The Korean Sports Council is taking the matter seriously and plans to respond officially. The council stated, "We will send a letter of protest to the organizing committee and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and request a meeting with senior officials of the organizing committee."
Despite the administrative mishap, the team is maintaining its composure. A representative from the Korea Basketball Association remarked, "The players will remain calm and prepare for the final match in the time remaining."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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