BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Expect an intense race ahead as Korea and Thailand shoot for the second slot to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 via Group A in Window 3 of the Qualifiers.
Group A
20 February 2024
Australia versus Indonesia - 07:35 PM (GMT+11) - Traralgon (AUS) Thailand versus Korea - 07:00 PM (GMT+7) - Bangkok (THA)
23 February 2024
Australia versus Thailand - 04:30 PM (GMT+11) - Traralgon (AUS) Indonesia versus Korea - 05:00 PM (GMT+7) - Jakarta (INA)
Both teams are toting similar 2-2 records, and would ideally need a sweep of their upcoming games for a shot to clinch the pool's second qualifying berth en route to the continental showpiece after Australia secured the first last November.
In fact, they can already break the deadlock right in the first day of the window on February 20 when the Thais host the traditional contenders in Bangkok.
Game time is set at 19:00 local time, with the Southeast Asian side coming in with high morale following their 112-71 conquest of Indonesia in Jakarta.
It was Thailand's second win in these Qualifiers - both of their victories have come at the expense of their regional rivals, actually - and making it all the more impressive was the balanced attack they deployed led by Freddie Lish and Martin Breunig.
Definitely, they're aiming to repeat as much against the Koreans, who are keen on bouncing back after seeing their two-game winning streak end at the hands of the Boomers, 98-75, in Goyang in a tough wrap-up to their Window 2 run.
It's also worth noting that the squad from East Asia is still trying to rebuild its identity following the departure of Ricardo Ratliffe, who announced his retirement from the national team shortly after the Qualifiers' opening window last February.
But the mental edge belongs to the Koreans, having beaten their Thai counterparts in their first meeting convincingly, 96-62, back in Window 1 in Wonju.
That's why it should truly be interesting when these two teams lock horns anew, more so their next games that could make or break their Asia Cup dreams.
Thailand, for one, will fly to Traralgon and face Australia on the 23rd, with the goal to score some payback after getting beaten, 101-48, last November by a side that leaned on veteran forward Chris Goulding, who fired 9 threes for 27 points.
The Boomers are coming into Window 3 with a perfect record at 4-0, and are definitely looking to finish as much unscathed to send a message to the rest of the competition that they're out to extend their reign as Asia Cup champs to three.
Korea, on the other hand, will take on a vengeful Indonesia in Jakarta, looking to repeat against the previous Asia Cup hosts after overcoming their tough stand - spearheaded by Anthony Beane - in their first encounter, 86-78, in Goyang.
Timnas would need - and want - no less than a sweep of their Window 3 games as they went winless in the previous two windows, becoming just one of only four teams in the ongoing Qualifiers that have yet to notch a victory.
FIBA