Women's Handball Loses to Montenegro 26-28... Possibility of Reaching Quarterfinals Remains

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The South Korean women's handball team lost to Montenegro by 2 goals.

On the 31st, South Korea lost 26-28 to Montenegro in the 4th match of Group A in the women's handball group stage at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

With a record of 1 win and 3 losses, South Korea's advancement to the quarterfinals will be determined by the final group stage match against Angola on August 2nd.

If they defeat Angola, they can advance to the quarterfinals regardless of other teams' results, but a loss means elimination. In case of a draw, they will have to wait and see the results of other matches.

Challenging for an Olympic medal for the first time in 13 years since winning bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, South Korea struggled early in the match, falling behind 1-5 shortly after the start.

South Korea then began a comeback, closing the first half at 11-13, and early in the second half narrowed the gap to one goal at 14-15.

However, from that point, Montenegro's ?urđina Jaukovi? scored three consecutive goals, and South Korea was held scoreless for about 7 minutes in the middle of the second half, conceding 5 consecutive goals and falling behind 14-20.

Im Gyeong scored 10 goals in a strong effort, but Ryu Eunhee, who scored 9 goals in the match against Japan two days earlier, was limited to 3 goals.