South Korea played out a 26-26 draw with Japan in the Group B men's handball competition of the Asian Games in Jakarta

They lead the group on goal difference. 

South Korea’s Kim Dong-cheol was the top scorer netting 10 goals out of 12 shots. Meanwhile, Japan’s top scorers were Agarie Yuto and Motoki Hiroki who both netted six goals. 

The last qualifying match emerged as one of the most intense games in the qualifying stage as both sides took turns taking the lead from the first minutes and had an equal number of shots of 44 each. 

The first half ended 13-13 after Japan scored the first goal through Hiroki in the first three minutes of the game from a fast break. From then on, the gap between both teams never passed two goals.

It was Japan who broke the spell after Yoshino Tatsuki, the 24-year-old left back, scored a 9-meter goal in the first three minutes of the second half, leaving South Korea trailing 13-15.

Until the end, both teams relied on their top scorers to take turns in leveling and then leading the match. However, three goals in the last two minutes of the game from South Korea’s Dong-cheol was crucial to stop his team from losing to Japan. 

Both teams have bagged three points from their two matches in Group B and have qualified for the main round, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 20.

Pakistan, who finished last in the group, went into the classification round along with Malaysia.

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