The national women’s basketball team suffered a massive defeat to Japan in Turkey on Sunday, meaning it will not qualify for the Olympic Games.

It was the fifth time in a row that the Korean team had failed to qualify for the Olympics.

During the Federation Internationale de Basketball Amateur’s World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Japan beat Korea 79-51, knocking them out of the top five, which qualify for London.

<YONHAP PHOTO-0329> South Korea's Cheajin Han (R) vies with Japan's Emi Kudeken (C) and Komiko Yamadan (L) during their 2012 women's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament match in Ankara on June 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN../2012-07-01 05:52:38/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2012 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Korea’s Han Chea-jin (right) looks to pass the ball against Japan. AFP-Yonhap News
South Korea's Cheajin Han (R) vies with Japan's Emi Kudeken (C) and Komiko Yamadan (L) during their 2012 women's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament match in Ankara on June 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN../2012-07-01 05:52:38/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2012 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Korea’s Han Chea-jin (right) looks to pass the ball against Japan. AFP-Yonhap News

Korea’s Han Chea-jin (right) looks to pass the ball against Japan. (AFP-Yonhap News)

It was the first time the Korean women’s team lost to Japan since the Doha Asian Games in 2006, adding to the shock of the defeat. As of Sunday, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkey and France had received spots for London while Japan and Canada will face off on Monday for the remaining one.

On the men’s side, Korea’s national team will face Russia and the Dominican Republic on Monday and Tuesday in Venezuela. The men’s team also has not qualified for the Olympics since 1996.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldm.com)


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com