According to the Shanghai Daily, Li blamed "man-made reasons" for Wednesday's 3-2 defeat at the Gyeyang Gymnasium in Incheon, South Korea.
"We did not lose because of technique or tactics, but due to some man-made reasons. The South Koreans deliberately controlled the wind blow in the stadium and took advantage of it," Li was quoted as telling reporters.
"When we played with tailwind, the wind was very strong, but when the wind was behind them, they shut down the air conditioning.
Several players have raised concerns over the venue's drafty air conditioning, saying it blows shuttlecocks off-course.
Li expressed surprise that world champion Chen Long, the world number two, managed only five points in his opening game against Son Wan-Ho.
"The air conditioning was too strong in the first set. It was hard for him to play from the baseline which is his strong point," said Li.
"In the second set, the wind was gone, but it was back in the third set again. This is Asian Games, but if it was the world championships or Thomas and Uber Cup, the BWF (Badminton World Federation) wouldn't have allowed this to happen."
Japanese coach Keita Masuda voiced similar concerns after his team's 3-2 loss to South Korea in the quarter-finals, the report said.
"The wind in this stadium is very strange, always supporting the hosts. Every time we change sides, the wind seems to change sides as well," he was quoted as saying.
Officials have said they are trying to address players' concerns but that they also have to keep the arena cool for spectators.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
