“I’m sorry, it’s disgraceful.”
Choo Il-seung, head coach of the South Korean men’s basketball team, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, expressed his regret. South Korea, led by head coach Chu, lost 70-84 to host China in the quarterfinals of the tournament at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Zhejiang Province on the 3rd. South Korea packed in the quarterfinals for the first time since the 2006 Asian Games in Doha. South Korea, which won the FIBA Asia Cup by 12 points in July last year, lost face on the day with a poor game in which it was once dragged by China by 23 points.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t achieve my goal (of gold medal). “It’s a shameful competition for me personally,” he said. “The players are doing their best even in difficult situations. I will do my best until the end,” he said. “I think I’ve been pushed back a little in all areas, including height,” he said. Due to the tight schedule of the game, the players had a physical burden overall, he said. “After the first quarter, my physical strength fell, and the lead of the game was transferred to China.” In many ways, China had a good reason to beat us,” he said.
Leading star Heo Hoon (Sangmu) said, “We should have finished well as we were complacent. I’m sorry about that,” he said. “The opponent raised it and the skill was very good. I think our players need to work harder and improve,” he said. Yang Hong-seok (LG), who scored 13 points and five rebounds on the day, said, “The Asian Games are not a small competition. It’s the biggest competition for us,” he said. “I had pride in being a member of the national team. He added, “I know that if I lose today’s game, I will fall, so I am very sorry for that.”
South Korea will compete in the remaining ranking matches. It will play a ranking match against Iran at 5 p.m. on the 4th. If they win this match, they will play in the 5th place match scheduled for 5 p.m. on the 6th. Coach Choo said, “I am sorry to the fans who support and love basketball. “I think it’s my job to achieve a successful ending to repay you,” he said.