Kang LeeSeul drives Korea’s ambition for redemption

Kang LeeSeul played a pivotal role in South Korea's 78-76 victory over New Zealand during Day 2 of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025, marking her fifth appearance in the tournament. Before exiting late in the third quarter, she contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and six three-pointers, setting the tone for a hard-fought win that avenged Korea's narrow loss to New Zealand in 2023. This victory reignited Korea's hopes of returning to the top four and restored team pride.

Kang expressed strong personal motivation for this game, driven by the 2023 defeat where New Zealand, for the first time in tournament history, prevented Korea from reaching the semi-finals. She reflected on the sting of that loss, stating, "They defeated us in the last tournament. Because of them, we fell outside of the top four teams," and emphasized her excitement about her new role as team captain, her first in her Asia Cup career since debuting in 2017.

Reflecting on the 2023 shortcomings, Kang acknowledged, "In the last tournament, we did not really play well," and stressed the team's goal to achieve better results this year. Despite the lingering disappointment fueling their drive, she highlighted the need for consistent execution against all opponents, sharing, "Regardless of our opponents, we have to execute our plan and do what we practiced. We have to be confident throughout the tournament to reach the top four or higher."

Kang's resilience, leadership, and clutch performance—including her shooting, defensive intensity, and composure under pressure—are crucial as Korea seeks redemption from the 2023 setback. Her ability to blend veteran experience with youthful energy anchors the squad, which now faces a competitive field including powerhouses like China, Japan, and Australia in their pursuit of renewed glory.