South Korea Defeats China in World Cup Asian Qualifier
- Joanne Lee
- Jan 3
- 1 min read
Jan 3, 2026
Joanne Lee
On November 28, the South Korean men’s national basketball team claimed an 80–76 victory over China in the first round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, held in China.
South Korea opened the game with strong teamwork and quickly took control, finishing the first quarter ahead 24–16. In the second quarter, Lee Jung-hyun and Lee Hyun-jung stood out with impressive performances. As China attempted to close the gap, the two players answered with consecutive three-pointers, helping South Korea extend its lead. By halftime, South Korea was ahead 47–34.
During the second half, China continued to push back, relying less on inside scoring and more on aggressive three-point attempts. The lead eventually shrank to just three points. However, South Korea secured the win with clutch free throws and timely perimeter shots in the final minutes, sealing the game at 80–76.
This victory allowed South Korea to redeem its previous 71–79 loss to China in the quarterfinals of the recent FIBA Asia Cup. Given South Korea’s significantly lower ranking compared to China, most observers anticipated an easy win for China. Nevertheless, the South Korean team is now aiming for a second straight win against China.
