Head Coach Kang Dong-hoon of the South Korean national League of Legends team evaluated their group stage performance, stating, "Things went better than they did in practice." He noted that in-game communication among players has also improved, adding that the team will focus on raising their execution level without letting their guard down in the semifinals.
On the 30th, South Korea consecutively defeated Chinese Taipei, India, and Hong Kong in the group stage of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Aichi Sky Expo in Japan. Finishing first in Group B with a perfect 3-0 record, South Korea will face Saudi Arabia in the semifinals on October 1.
In a post-match interview, Coach Kang stated that the players executed their prepared strategies well during the games. "We struck a good balance between what we prepared and the areas we needed to be cautious about. It went better than in practice," he said. "In-game communication has also improved significantly, which I view positively."
Adjusting their daily routine for the 9:00 a.m. first match was also helpful. After arriving in Japan, the national team moved their wake-up time to before 7:00 a.m. Although the players initially struggled to get up and felt fatigued, they adapted over a few days. Coach Kang explained, "I think practicing playing games or staying active at 9:00 a.m. had a positive impact."
During the group stage, 'Zeka' Kim Geon-woo started against Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, while 'Faker' Lee Sang-hyeok started against India. Coach Kang stated that both players had been preparing together, saying, "I believed we could win comfortably no matter who took the stage." He explained that starting decisions were made after considering player conditions and various tactical checks.
The starting lineup for the semifinals against Saudi Arabia has not yet been decided. Coach Kang said he would recheck the players' conditions after the interview before making a final decision. Regarding match preparation, he shared his determination, saying, "I believe we will win if we prepare our own game well. We won't let our guard down and will prepare so that we can execute even more decisively and flawlessly."
He anticipated that the other semifinal matchup between Vietnam and Chinese Taipei would be a close contest. "It's neck and neck, so I don't know who will win. Vietnam is stronger than expected, so Chinese Taipei will need to play well," Coach Kang said. However, he expressed confidence, adding, "Whoever advances, I believe we can beat anyone if we play our game perfectly."
Finally, Coach Kang expressed his gratitude to the fans. "I am always grateful for the support sent to our players," he said. "Please give them plenty of applause and support so they can perform even better."
