U18 Asia Games: Saturday 23 July

TEHRAN (2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship) - Here are the six games scheduled for Day 2 of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship.

Follow the action live on the FIBA Asia U18 live feed. 

Indonesia v Japan

Both these teams are coming off blowout losses on Day 1, but, at least on paper, it looks like Japan will be havily favored in this duel. Hard-luck Indonesia may not have the size or depth to pose a serious threat to the Japanese, who are raring to bounce back after getting beaten badly by East Asian rivals Korea.

China v India

This will be a battle of Day 1 victors as China dominated Iraq and India held off Thailand. China’s size advantage is sure to be a big boon for them in this contest, but they will need to keep India’s super scorers in check, most notably Sahil and Balandhaneshwar Poiyamozhi. Unless India catches China on a really bad day, however, coach Fan Bin’s wards are expected to romp to their second win.

Lebanon v Korea

Day 1 winners square off again in this outing, with Lebanon hoping to get back-to-back wins after they blew out Kazakhstan. Of course, that is much easier said than done as Korea are expected to continue their very strong play. Coach Lee Moojin’s squad held Japan to just 35.1% field goal shooting, so Lebanon has to step up in the face of such tenacious defense.

Iraq v Philippines

Batang Gilas are hoping to get their first win and to bounce back after a tough loss to Chinese Taipei last night, but the Iraqis will not be pushovers. Iraq has four players who are 2.00m or taller, and that kind of size may present big hurdles for the Philippines, who also need to work on their perimeter defense after allowing Taipei to make 10 three-pointers last night.

Iran v Kazakhstan

Hometown favorite Iran are the heavy favorites in this encounter with Kazakhstan, who are fresh from a 60-point shellacking on Day 1. Iran, meanwhile, are coming out of their own dominant victory over Indonesia, and they are surely hoping to notch back-to-back wins in preparation for a tough game against Japan on Day 3.

Thailand v Chinese Taipei

Once again, Chinese Taipei take on a SEABA team, and, once again, they will be the favorites to prevail. The Thais fell short in their game against India last night, and they will face stiffer odds in this joust with the Taipei quintet, winners over fancied Philippines on Day 1.

FIBA