Inspired Madgen leads Opals past Korea, rewrites Asia Cup narrative

Everything was on the line for the Opals on Friday night against Korea and they prevailed in commanding fashion. Now a chance at redemption against China awaits.

Image credit: May Bailey Photography

You learn a lot about a team, and individuals, when pressure is at its highest.

For the Opals, the stakes couldn’t have been any higher on Friday night; one more loss, and they could be faced with the reality of having their qualification dreams for the 2024 Paris Olympics crushed.

Facing a Korean team, who had taken it right up to 2022 World Cup silver medalists China just two nights earlier in an overtime loss, Australia had to bounce back quickly from a ghastly 25-point loss to Japan.

And bounce back they did.

The story of the night was just how resoundingly the Opals answered the challenge that awaited, in the face of extraordinary pressure.