The basketball team lost to Venezuela in its first pre-qualifying match for the World Cup

I was shaken from the first step toward the Women's Basketball World Cup.

The Korean women's basketball team, led by head coach Park Soo-ho, lost 78-84 to Venezuela in the first Group A match of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup pre-qualifying round at Hunnacio Juan de la Barrera in Mexico City, Mexico on the 20th.

A total of eight teams will participate in the preliminary round. There are four teams in Groups A and B, and the top spot in each group will qualify for the FIBA Women's World Cup.

Korea is 13th in the FIBA ranking. It was the highest in Group A. However, it now faces a challenging road as it kneels down to Venezuela, which ranks 36th.

Park Ji-hyun Bankstown Bruins scored 19 points and six rebounds, Kang Yi-seul Cheongju KB Kookmin Bank Stars scored 17 points and four rebounds, and Park Ji-soo Galatasaray SK struggled with 14 points and six rebounds.

Korea led by Kang early in the first quarter as she scored eight points on her own. In the middle, Park Ji-hyun's two free throws widened the gap to seven points. However, she allowed 10 consecutive points to Venezuela, losing the lead. The team finished the first quarter trailing 21-23.

In the early second quarter, Kang Yi-seul and Kim Jihyun Shin tied the game with a three-point shot. Park Ji-hyun even made an outpost to turn the tables. Since then, Park Ji-hyun has steadily scored, widening the gap. Jinan and Jinyoung Kim even scored in the last minute to end the first half with a 45-41 lead. 메이저사이트

Korea maintained the lead early in the third quarter thanks to points scored by Kang I-seul and Park Ji-soo. However, Venezuela's pursuit was not easy. With the score tied at 60-60 at the end of the third quarter, Park Ji-soo scored with 27 seconds left to regain the lead to end the third quarter.

Park Ji-soo, Kang Yi-seul, and Park Ji-hyun scored early in the fourth quarter to maintain the gap, but allowed a tie in the middle. They lost the lead by giving up seven consecutive points to Venezuela in the last minute. The momentum was passed on to Venezuela. They chased, but lost by six points.

After the game, coach Park Soo-ho said, "It's a process of generational change, and I think we had a good experience today," adding, "We will prepare for the remaining matches against Czech Republic and Mali so that we can play as well as we have prepared in Korea."

"I felt heavy because it was my first game, but aside from that, I couldn't find the parts that I practiced in Korea for more than a month," Kang said. "I had a difficult game, and I have a lot to reflect on. I will prepare well for the next game."

Meanwhile, the Korean national team is scheduled to play against the Czech Republic 23rd on the 21st and Mali 20th on the 23rd.