Asian Qualifiers Power Rankings: Calm before the storm
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - After the end of an exciting Window 4, there isn't expected to be a major power shift in the Asian Qualifiers scene as most teams are expected to parade similar squads in Window 5.
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - After the end of an exciting Window 4, there isn't expected to be a major power shift in the Asian Qualifiers scene as most teams are expected to parade similar squads heading into the upcoming games.
With a few World Cup qualification tickets ready to be collected, however, this Power Ranking could look very different when the window is said and done.
Nonetheless, here's how they're stacked up so far going into Window 5:
Team |
Movement |
|
12 |
India are still in the hunt for their first win in this Asian Qualifiers. They're scheduled to play two away games this window, including the game against Lebanon at Zouk Mikael. Not the most favorable situation for India. | - |
11 |
Two home games for the Steppen Wolves should be good news. However, considering the form that they ended Window 4 with that second half collapse to Japan, Kazakhstan will have to prove themselves in the rematch (as well as a game against undefeated Australia) to change our minds. | - |
10 |
Saudi Arabia went winless last window against two very good teams and had some promising stretches. They're playing both games at home in Window 5 against a favorable foe in India and the Philippines who will be powered down a bit from Window 4. | - |
9 |
Going up against Australia and China in away games might have been the most brutal schedule among all teams in Window 4, but now Bahrain get the chance to bounce back with two home games. Japan are never an easy matchup, but considering the relative pressure concerning World Cup qualification (Japan are qualified as co-hosts), this could be a good chance for Bahrain to claim an important win. | - |
8 |
The Falcons have been busy with preparation games against Turkish clubs, which means that - once again - these Power Rankings might be underrating them. They'll have to prove everyone wrong by going up against solid teams in the Philippines and New Zealand. Obviously not easy, even if these games are to be played in Jordan. | - |
7 |
Coach Toom Hovasse's team did well in Window 4, even with that close loss to Iran. They are only moving down in this Power Ranking because of another team moving up (see below) and because they'll be missing the service of Yudai Baba this window. | ⬇️1️⃣ |
6 |
Iran could be higher after beating Japan and forcing Australia to break a sweat, but couldn't finish strong against the Boomers and here they are. Because of their two losses to Kazakhstan early in the Qualifiers, Iran's World Cup qualification hopes are still shaky. A win over China in the first game of Window 5 would be massive. | ⬇️1️⃣ |
5 |
The Philippines managed Window 4 accordingly to the expectations: a competitive away game against Lebanon and a dominating performance over Saudi Arabia at home. Can they build up on that moment this window with a big game against Jordan - even without Jordan Clarkson this time? | ⬇️1️⃣ |
4 |
China stepping up into the Top 5 of the Power Rankings is initially based on the likeliness of Zhou Qi coming back for another window. If Zhou Qi plays, China should be one of the better teams this window. If he does not, it's likely that China could struggle a bit and drop down a few spots in the Power Ranking update. | ⬆️3️⃣ |
3 |
New Zealand are headed to the World Cup, so they might be a bit loose in one of their tougher windows of the Qualifiers against Lebanon and New Zealand - both away games. Still, considering the way they've been playing and shooting, it will be tough to knock them down the rankings for now. | - |
2 |
Similar to New Zealand, there will be less pressure on Lebanon with them already qualified to the World Cup and they also have a favorable game against India. From what we've seen in the recent years, however, Lebanon can really catch fire if they are peaking with confidence ... which could be the case in the upcoming two games. | - |
1 |
It is a bit weird that the top team in the Power Ranking has yet to confirm World Cup qualification, but it only seems to be a matter of "when" considering the Boomers' undefeated record. Australia are returning most of their squad from the previous window so it shouldn't be too hard to keep their undefeated run through 2022 alive. | - |
*The power rankings are entirely subjective based on recent events/results/announcements and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.
** This version of the Asian Qualifiers Power Ranking is an update from the previous Power Rankings after the end of Window 4.
FIBA