Lee Kang-san's equalizer not enough as late penalty stroke proves decisive

Bronze-medal match against Pakistan set for Saturday

The South Korea men's national hockey team. [Korea Hockey Association]
The South Korea men's national hockey team. [Korea Hockey Association]

South Korea's men's hockey team fell to Malaysia by a single goal Thursday, ending its bid to reach the Asian Games final for the first time in two decades.

The team, coached by Min Tae-seok, lost 1-2 to Malaysia in the semifinal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Green Stadium Kakamigahara in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

After a scoreless first half, South Korea conceded the opening goal from a penalty corner in the third quarter. Lee Kang-san of the Incheon Metropolitan City Sports Council then leveled the score at 1-1 with a field goal.

South Korea conceded a penalty stroke just before the end of the third quarter to fall behind again. The team pushed for an equalizer in the fourth quarter but could not break through Malaysia's defense.

The last time South Korea's men's hockey team reached an Asian Games final was at the 2006 Doha Games, where they won gold. The team claimed bronze at both the 2014 Incheon Games and the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

With a place in the final gone, South Korea will turn its attention to the bronze-medal match against Pakistan at the same venue at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.


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