Vietnamese karate fighters' bids for gold medal on the final day of the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea failed and Vietnam ended up ranking 21st out of 45 participating countries and territories.

In men’s 80kg, Nguyen Minh Phung defeated UAE Moha Alzaabi 4-1 and Thailand’s Kangtong Theerapat 6-3 to advance to semifinals where he lost 4-6 to Japan’s Araga Ryutaro.

In the third place playoff match, Phung was defeated by host Jang Minsoo 2-5.

Tran Thi Khanh Vy was also unsuccessful in women’s 50kg.

Vietnamese fighters only won two medals in karate, including Nguyen Thanh Duy with a bronze medal in men’s 60kg and Nguyen Hoang Ngan in kata.

Vietnam claimed gold medals in karate at three previous Asiads, including two golds of Bao Ngoc and Kim Anh in 2002, another of Vu Nguyet Anh in 2006 and the other of Le Bich Phuong in 2010.

In all, Vietnam only bagged one gold at the Incheon Asian Games by wushu artist Duong Thuy Vi.

The country ranked 21 out of 45 participating countries and territories with one gold, ten silver and 25 bronze medals. At the 2010 Asian Games, Vietnam finished 24 with one gold, 17 silvers and 15 bronzes.

China leads the medal tally board with 151 golds, 108 silvers and 83 bronzes, followed by host South Korea and Japan.