Korea lose 2-1 to Japan in sepaktakraw quadrant contest

The Korean men’s sepaktakraw quadrant team lost 2-1 to Japan in the group stage at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Monday, recording a second loss at the tournament.

Korea's Jeong Ha Sung returns the ball during the men's sepaktakraw Group B preliminary match against Japan at the Hangzhou Asian Games held at Jinhua Sports Centre in Jinhua, China on Monday. [AP/YONHAP]

The Korean men’s sepaktakraw quadrant team lost 2-1 to Japan in the group stage at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Monday, recording a second loss at the tournament.

Korea faced Japan at Jinhua Sports Centre Gymnasium in Jinhua, China and lost the first set 21-14, won the second set 22-20 and lost the third set again 21-7 for a final score of 2-1.

Each match has three sets, and the first side to 21 points wins that set.

Sepaktakraw is a sport with origins in Southeast Asia. “Sepak” translates to “kick” in Malay, and “tekraw” is the Thai word for the woven rattan ball used in play on a badminton-size court.

The rules are similar to volleyball where the goal is to get the ball over the court in three touches or less, and the team wins a point when their opponents fail to return the rally. But players are barred from using their hands, instead blocking the ball with their heads and their feet.

In quadrant, four players take either side of the court — marking a key difference from the traditional “regu” style, which has three players on either side. This is the second Asian Games to include quadrant as a medal contest after the category made its debut in 2018, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Monday’s loss is Korea’s second loss in the group stage after a loss to the Philippines and a win against Singapore a day before.

Korea will next face India on Tuesday at the same venue.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN AND MARY YANG [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]