Preview: Jordan, Saudi Arabia feeling the pressure towards end of Window 5
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - There is still one World Cup qualification spot left in Group E and that will be the case until the February window, but it feels like do-or-doe for the teams left in contention.
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - There is still one World Cup qualification spot left in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers. After the results of the games on November 10, it seems like that spot should still be left vacant up until the February window at the very least.
The stars are still here. The rivalries are raging on. There’s still plenty to watch out for in the upcoming games in Group E on November 13.
Here's what the standings look like in Group E heading into the second gameday in Window 5 of the Asian Qualifiers:
Group E
9/18 games played
All First Round results carry over to Second Round
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | Lebanon* ** | 7 | 6 | 1 | 85.7 | 580 | 481 | 99 | 82.9 | 68.7 | 13 |
| 2 | New Zealand** | 7 | 6 | 1 | 85.7 | 635 | 443 | 192 | 90.7 | 63.3 | 13 |
| 3 | Philippines** | 7 | 4 | 3 | 57.1 | 529 | 518 | 11 | 75.6 | 74 | 11 |
| 4 | Jordan* | 7 | 3 | 4 | 42.9 | 494 | 523 | -29 | 70.6 | 74.7 | 10 |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia* | 7 | 2 | 5 | 28.6 | 457 | 521 | -64 | 65.3 | 74.4 | 9 |
| 6 | India | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 414 | 623 | -209 | 59.1 | 89 | 7 |
13 November 2022
Jordan vs New Zealand - 19:00 GMT +3 - Amman, Jordan
Saudi Arabia vs Philippines - 19:00 GMT +3 - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Lebanon vs India - 21:00 GMT +3 - Beirut, Lebanon
After suffering a defeat to the Philippines, it feels like Jordan are in a must-win situation against New Zealand right now if they want to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. They're still ahead of Saudi Arabia in the race towards the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, but definitely do not want to leave the fate of their hopes and dreams in the hands of the other teams.
For Saudi Arabia, they've done their part in beating India. The real test will now be against the Philippines, who they already lost to by a big margin in Window 4. This time, however, they will play at home and come in with some momentum.
It's not do-or-die just yet, but it certainly feels like it for Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Star to Watch
Kai Sotto
Center
Height: 216 M / 7'1"
Asian Qualifiers stats: 14.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks per game
Not having Jordan Clarkson in this window for the Philippines means that there’s room for someone to step in and pick up the momentum that Gilas had built up last window. Kai has shouldered some of that responsibility with a 16-outing, highlighted by two three-pointers in the first game of the window.
The big man has been the top “prospect” in the Philippines for quite a while now, and it feels like it could be time for him to post a signature game with the national team. It might feel there’s a lot of pressure piled on the youngster, but he’s been used to carrying that weight on his shoulders since a teenager.
Key Prospect
Hazim Aljohar
Point Guard
Height: 1.92 M / 6'4"
Asian Qualifiers stats: 16 points, 7 rebounds
Saudi Arabia's sharpshooting guard came into the window virtually unknown by the general Asia basketball fan, but many should be taking notice after an impressive national team debut against India.
The 19-year-old played with confidence and passion while delivering a decent performance in his first game ever playing for the team. He'll now get his chance against the Philippines... and if he can follow up with another good game, fans will have no choice but to start taking notice.
Here's where Group E teams are ranked in the FIBA World Rankings, as well as in Asia:
| WORLD RANK |
COUNTRY | ASIA RANK |
CURRENT POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24. | New Zealand | 3. | 427.5 |
| 35. | Jordan | 6. | 331.5 |
| 41. | Philippines | 8. | 306.4 |
| 43. | Lebanon | 9. | 299.0 |
| 73. | Saudi Arabia | 13. | 133.9 |
| 85. | India | 15. | 116.9 |
FIBA