Inazawa:South Korea's men's handball team lost their chance to reach the final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, falling to defending champions Qatar. Despite the defeat, head coach Cho Young-shin praised his players for their performance.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho expressed pride in his team, noting that they competed on equal terms with Qatar. He acknowledged the players' resolve and determination, emphasizing that they did well despite the loss.

The semifinal match ended with a score of 32-20 in favor of Qatar, held at Entrio in Inazawa, northwest of Nagoya, Japan. South Korea initially fought a close battle through the first half and into the second half's opening 20 minutes, but ultimately could not overtake Qatar.

Cho remarked on the strength of the Qatari team, which is aiming for its fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal, describing them as significantly better. However, he commended his players for their relentless effort throughout the match. South Korea was aiming for its first gold medal in men's handball since their victory over Iran in 2010. They secured silver in 2014 and bronze in 2018 but did not reach the podium in 2023.

The team's journey at the Asian Games continues, with a bronze medal match against Japan scheduled for Tuesday. Cho acknowledged the challenge of facing Japan on their home ground, buoyed by local support. He affirmed the team's commitment to winning the final match, emphasizing its importance.