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| 사진=Yonhap News |
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| 사진=Yonhap News |
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This time, Qatar. South Korea's men's basketball A team, led by head coach Ahn Joon-ho, will play Qatar twice at Anyang Gymnasium on the 18th and 20th. The goal is clear. The 2025 FIBA Asia Cup to be held in August is the "Mock Test". South Korea will participate in the Asia Cup, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from Aug. 5-17. South Korea will face Australia (7th), Lebanon (29th) and Qatar (87) in Group A. In other words, the team will play an outpost before the main match against Qatar. It is also an opportunity to feel the strong physicality to meet at the Asia Cup in advance.
In terms of objective power, South Korea has the upper hand. South Korea is 53rd in the FIBA rankings. But numbers don't mean victory or defeat. The Qatar that will clash this time is 'Team full of question marks'
Qatar has been actively accepting naturalized athletes in sports for several years. Naturalized players can be seen in soccer, handball, and volleyball. Basketball is no exception. The preliminary list submitted ahead of the Asian Cup also has many naturalized players. The same is true of this friendly match. Tyler Harris, born in the United States in 1993, and Ndoye Seidou, born in Senegal in 1999, are listed. It is evaluated that he has overwhelming physical and outstanding personal skills. Some analysts say Qatar is more active in its naturalization policy ahead of the FIBA World Cup in its own country in 2027.
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| 사진=Yonhap News |
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| 사진=Yonhap News |
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The key is to dominate under the bone. There is no answer if you are pushed back in a height fight with your opponent. This is why coach Ahn emphasized rebounds in a series of warm-up matches against Japan earlier. Coach Ahn said despite his 91-77 victory over Japan on the 11th, `There is not much hope at this rate. We are the shortest man in an international competition. There is no answer if you are pushed out of the right of provision. You have to own the ball through the rebound to score, but if that doesn't work, there's no hope."
Attention is naturally focused on the activities of Lee Hyun-joong and Yeo Jun-seok of the "Overseas Duo". Lee Hyun-joong (Illawara), who plays in the Australian League, had 44 points and 18 rebounds in two games against Japan. Yeo Jun-seok (Seattle University) added 33 points and 15 rebounds. The two led the team by raising their energy levels on the court as well as airlift. South Korea won two consecutive games against Japan through their performances. Lee Hyun-joong and Yeo Jun-seok, who met again for the first time in four years since 2021, dominated the court.
In addition, the key point is whether 'Big Man' such as Ha Yoon-ki (Suwon kt) and Kim Jong-kyu (Anyang Jeonggwanjang), who slowed down due to injury in the two consecutive games against Qatar, will be revived. The role of the 'ball handler' leading to Lee Jung-hyun (Goyang Sono), Yang Joon-seok (Changwon LG), and Jung Sung-woo (Daegu Korea Gas Corporation) is also important. Commentator Son Dae-beom said, `The Qatar match can be played in a different style than Japan, which faced off earlier. Qatar has a question mark in the organization, but it is likely to play the American style. We can experience the physicality of Lebanon and other countries that Korea will face in the Asian Cup in advance."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
