BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers is nearly upon us. Even though this phase of the competition is coming to a close, only 7 of the 16 Asia Cup spots have so far been claimed.
As this will be the last two games for each of these teams in the Qualifiers, there will be a lot on the line in each game - for some teams more than the other. Put those storylines together and you get some games that stand out as those you would not want to miss in this upcoming window.
And here they are: Six must-watch games for this upcoming Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Guam vs Mongolia
February 20, 2025 - 07:30 PM (GMT+10)
Upstart and excited are both Guam and Mongolia, but it's most likely that only one of these two teams will be able to keep their Asia Cup hopes alive when the window is done and dusted. That's a bit of a shame as both teams are aiming for that first-ever Asia Cup appearance and they'll have to step over the other to at least keep their hopes alive of making it to Saudi Arabia.
Guam won in their first encounter in a relatively close game, but Mongolia have shown that they will always put up a fight.
China vs Japan
February 20, 2025 - 07:30 PM (GMT+8)
Last year, on February 25, Japan snapped a long-time losing streak and defeated China for the first time in a major FIBA competition in 88 years. Fast forward to almost one year later, they will have the chance to double down and make it a two-game win streak instead.
They are in good form to do so as well, being one of the five undefeated teams so far in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
However, not only will China have the pressing urge to exact their revenge against their East Asian rivals. This is also their opportunity to clinch their seat at the Asia Cup. If they do, it will be their 24 appearance in the competition where they have won the title 16 times - most among all teams.
Thailand vs Korea
February 20, 2025 - 07:00 PM (GMT+7)
Korea have the edge of not only winning the past matchup against Thailand last February by a sizable margin but also having beaten the Southeast Asian team in the Asia Cup 2022 Qualifiers as well. So they know that they have that edge going into this game where they will clinch Asia Cup qualification with a win.
Thailand will try to not make it too easy for them though. After shaking off the loss to Australia in Window 2, Thailand looked a lot better against Indonesia in a win. Now, they find themselves in a position where they can claim a direct Asia Cup spot which would make it their first time back since 2013.
To Thailand's advantage, they will be playing at home where they've been able to feed off a supportive crowd in the past two windows.
Syria vs UAE
February 21, 2025 - TBD
On paper, this shouldn't look like too much of an issue for Syria. They had already beaten UAE back in Window 1 by 15 points. However, it seems like these two teams are going in different directions heading into the most crucial parts of their campaigns - a perfect recipe for a fun and exciting matchup.
Syria suffered two losses in Window 2, the important one being a heartbreaking 76-71 defeat to Bahrain. Meanwhile, in that same window and against that same Bahrain team, UAE emerged victorious. And that's why heading into this final stretch, the two teams have 1-3 records.
They might be on the outside looking in to directly qualify to the Asia Cup now, but a win in this game would really boost their chances of keeping the dream alive - at least until the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place teams.
Bahrain vs Lebanon
February 21, 2025 - 07:00 PM (GMT+3)
History is not exactly in Bahrain's favor going into this clash against Lebanon. They've lost their past three games (including the Asia Cup 2022 Qualifiers) to the Tall Cedars by an average of just under 30 points. But with a win here, they greatly improve their chances of making it back to the Asia Cup. They have the potential to take down powerhouses (check out their near upset of China in Asia Cup 2022), but they will need to be locked in.
That is especially the case going up against a team like Lebanon. The currently undefeated squad will probably want to keep their record perfect heading into a summer where they would want more than anything to make it back to the final stage and potentially claim the trophy for once.
Hong Kong, China vs Chinese Taipei
February 23, 2025 - 07:00 PM (GMT+8)
A lot can happen in the first gameday of the window, leading up to this clash in particular. However, as the top two spots of the group have already been locked up by the Philippines and New Zealand, the only hope of making it to the Asia Cup for Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei is to lock up a seat at the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place teams.
That would be what is on the line in the game, the last for both teams in the Asia Cup Qualifiers. Chinese Taipei already handed a beatdown of 85-55 in their first encounter last November, so they should be feeling confident.
It is the last window and the last game and who knows what Hong Kong, China might still have up their sleeves with their backs against the wall?
FIBA