KOR - For Hur Jae, national team job is off-season work!

SEOUL (26th FIBA Asia Championship) - Having led KCC Egis to their second title in the arduous KBL, Hur Jae will rely on exactly that same kind of ‘magic’ to see him through when he guides the Korean National Team in the East Asia Championship in Nanjing next month.

When the 42-year-old took charge of the Korean national team for the 25th FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin two years ago, they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in the competition’s history.

In fact, Korea finished seventh, their worst result ever in the competition.

“I know there is a lot of pressure on me because I failed two years ago," said Hur. "But I will examine the reason why my team failed. I really want to do well this time."

First up for Hur and his team is the East Asia Championship in Nanjing, a qualifying event for the 26th FIBA Asia Championship to be played in Wuhan (China) between 15 and 25 September.

With China having already automatically qualified as hosts, three berths are up for grabs in Nanjing.

“The final aim is to take a good shot at qualifying for the Olympics. But I am aware that task is easier said than done,” Hur said.

The 26th FIBA Asia Championship is also qualifying event for 2012 London Olympics.

The champion team from Wuhan will directly qualify for London, while teams that finish second and third will qualify for the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament.

Hur is confident his team will make it to Wuhan and has planned to play the William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei to prepare for the big bash.

“(I know) it’s not easy to coach both the national team and my professional team,” he conceded.

“I think I will miss most of the Egis’ preseason training.”

Hur is confident he can do both jobs well, acknowledging that his long off-season journey has just begun.

“This is the beginning, I will not have time to rest for a year,” Hur said.

“I am concerned, but I can’t turn back now.”

FIBA Asia