Finals for the first time in 12 years, South Korea men's basketball crushes Iran by 26 points

Men's basketball final set to be a Korea-Japan showdown! South Korea faces Japan once again!

“Finals for the first time in 12 years!” South Korea men's basketball crushes Iran 77-51!

SBS caster Jung Woo-young: “South Korea's new golden generation is truly strong.”

SBS commentator Cho Hyun-il: “He makes me wonder if we ever had a shooter like this in our country!” High praise!

SBS vividly reported the moment South Korea reached the finals for the first time in 12 years during the men's basketball semifinals of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. South Korea crushed Iran 77-51 by a 26-point margin, reaching the final stage for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Lee Hyun-jung led the offense with 26 points, Lee Woo-seok with 19 points, and Lee Jung-hyun with 11 points, overwhelming Iran with powerful defense added to the attack.

In particular, South Korea will face Japan in the final held tomorrow (20th), engaging in a Korea-Japan match for the long-awaited gold medal. SBS plans to deploy special commentator Heo Hoon to vividly convey South Korea's challenge for an Asian Games gold medal for the first time in 12 years during this special Korea-Japan match. Caster Jung Woo-young increased expectations for the Korea-Japan final broadcast, stating, “Special commentator Heo Hoon will join South Korea's challenge for victory for the first time in 12 years.”

In the match against Iran, South Korea led 12-8 in the first quarter, led by the three-point shots of Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Hyun-jung, and Lee Woo-seok, and widened the score gap from the second quarter to finish the first half 36-24. Lee Woo-seok's consecutive three-pointers, Yeo Jun-seok's inside scoring, and Lee Hyun-jung's rebounds and defense combined to shut down Iran's offense. Caster Jung Woo-young noted South Korea's stable game management, saying, “We have invited Iran into a deeper swamp.”

In the second half, they pushed Iran even harder, led by the perimeter shots of Lee Hyun-jung and Lee Woo-seok and the inside play of Yeo Jun-seok. In particular, Lee Hyun-jung showed stellar performance in both offense and defense, recording 26 points and 12 rebounds, including seven 3-point shots. Commentator Cho Hyun-il evaluated, “He is showing a new type of player, to the point where I wonder if our country ever had such an outstanding shooter,” and caster Jung Woo-young also emphasized Lee Hyun-jung's all-around performance, saying, “He is performing versatile roles in both offense and defense.”

In the third quarter, South Korea solidified their victory by widening the score gap further. They overwhelmed Iran with Lee Hyun-jung's long-distance three-pointer, Lee Woo-seok's perimeter shots, and Yeo Jun-seok's inside play, continuing their unwavering performance in both offense and defense through the fourth quarter. Commentator Cho Hyun-il evaluated, “They completely dominated the game in the second half and reached the finals for the first time in 12 years.”

After the match ended, caster Jung Woo-young evaluated, “It was a match that once again showed that the new golden generation of our basketball is truly strong.” South Korea confirmed their advancement to the finals by defeating Iran 77-51 by 26 points, leaving them with just one match remaining for the gold medal for the first time in 12 years.

Meanwhile, the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, broadcast live on SBS, will take place for 16 days from the opening ceremony on Saturday, September 19, to Sunday, October 4.

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◆ At a Glance

· Publishing Institution: SBS

· Category: Asian Games

· Distribution: September 21, 13:23

Source: SBS Press Release

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