BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Much of the attention will be on Japan if they can take care of business in Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
The AKATSUKI JAPAN simply need to sweep both of their assignments in this week's games to book a trip to Saudi Arabia for the tournament proper, something that they would love to accomplish as it would mean their 30th trip to the continental contest.
But not to be forgotten, of course, are the teams in the middle of Group C in China and Guam as both tote identical 1-1 records. and they definitely look at the upcoming window as a crucial part of their aspirations of making it to the Asia Cup.
Of course, there's also Mongolia, coming in with the hope that it could pull off massive upsets against China and Japan to keep their qualifying hopes beating.
Take a look at the pool standings:
Group C
And of course, their Window 2 games here:
21 November 2024
Japan versus Mongolia - 07:05 PM (GMT+9) - Utsunomiya, JPN China versus Guam - 07:30 PM (GMT+8) - Hefei, CHN
24 November 2024
Guam versus Japan - 03:00 PM (GMT+10) - Mangilao, GUM Mongolia versus China - 03:00 PM (GMT+8) - Ulaanbaatar, MGL
Games to watch
Japan's trek back to the Asia Cup starts on Thursday against Mongolia at the Nikkan Arena Tochigi in a game confirmed to be sold out already, with around 5,000 fans expected to fill up the venue and show support to Coach Tom Hovasse and Co.
It would be the first time that both teams will meet in the Qualifiers and definitely, the home team would want to put on a show in front of their own people. And also because a victory would move them closer to the Asia Cup next year.
And if ever they get the job done, it would give the Japanese even more fuel to beat Guam anew when they go to Mangilao on Sunday. They have the mental edge, too, having reigned triumphant their Window 1 encounter by way of a 77-56 rout.
We shouldn't take our eyes off Guam, too, though. As mentioned, they're currently at 1-1, but find themselves in a tough situation in this window. Before facing Japan, they will have to go through China firstly, someone they'd play for the first time.
How will they fare against Team Dragon? That's something we will have to see, for it may influence the way Coach EJ Calvo's wards play in their second game.
Players to watch
Guam will definitely have their work cut out for them against the Chinese if they are to contain the latter's frontcourt led by 2.10 M (6'11") slotman Hu Jinqiu, who starred for his side in Window 1 with averages of 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds.
That unenviable task of doing so may fall on the shoulders of Jonathan Galloway and Earnest Ross. But one thing interesting to watch out for is how their wingers like Jericho Cruz would be able to defend guys like Zhao Jiwei and Xu Jie.
Debut to watch
Meanwhile, Japan are expected to parade Alex Kirk this window. Some have been waiting for him to play for the national team with the success he's had in the country, which includes a golden run in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019 with Alvark Tokyo.
Standing at 2.11 M (6'11), Kirk - who's been playing for the Ryukyu Golden Kings since 2023 - should provide much-needed inside presence for the run-and-gun crew.
Promising prospects
As said above, Mongolia are hoping to break through in the Qualifiers through the upcoming window and help may be on the way in another youngster.
Margad Erdenetsetdeg, 20, should be one of the younger players in Window 2 but is already a talent to look out for. Generally listed at 1.96M (6'5"), he has displayed outstanding athleticism while playing in the US in high school and college.
With this recent infusion of youth to this up-and-coming program, the fast-paced Blue Wolves should be even more exciting to watch on the hardwood.
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