Teacher Ahn's rebound + Lee Hyunjung's hustle. The Asian Cup without a naturalized player is harsh.
Jul 14, 2025
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When he was the head coach of Samsung in Seoul, he drew a lot of attention with his 'four-character idiom' before the game. He also used words such as a 'traditional' such as a school soldier's pen plaque (if you are proud, you will definitely lose) and an investigation unbeatable (even if you can die, you cannot lose), and he humorously presented words such as 'Infinite Challenge'Golden Split'.
South Korea played two warm-up matches against Japan at Jeonggwanjang Arena in Anyang.
Japan is in the middle of a generational shift. Kawamura Yuki and Baba Yudai, who play in the NBA Summer League, Hachimura Rui, former NBA leaguer Watanabe Utah, veterans Yuki Togashi and Makoto Hiejima did not participate in the warm-up match. Although it was not a full-fledged player, there were a number of players who would lead the next generation of Japanese basketball, including Josh Hawkins, a main center and naturalized player, and Akira Jacobs, a next-generation shooter. There were also many players playing on the NCAA stage.
South Korea dominated both the first and second games. They won the first game with 91-77 and the second game with 84-69.
It was at the level of oppression in both energy levels and skills. In particular, the second half of the second game was a complete victory. Coach Tom Horvath, who is leading the Japanese national team, also held an unusually long team meeting with the players after the game
However, coach Ahn Joon-ho reprimanded 'If you are inferior in rebounds, there is no hope in the Asian Cup' after the first game. After the second game, he transformed into a compliment mode. However, there was still a sense of urgency.
'He asked me to jump on the rebound like a hungry wolf. They have to face Australia, Lebanon and Qatar (in the Asian Cup). It's a group of death. I told him to choose for himself whether to die in the group of death or to live and become a legend.'"
In fact, there is nothing wrong. Rebounding is a fundamental part of the basics. Overseas teams such as Yeo Jun-seok and Lee Hyun-joong joined, but the average height is inferior. Participation in the team rebound is of course essential to overcome this weakness.
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As ace Lee Hyun-joong's killer, the atmosphere of the national team is strong. I'm focusing on defense, and the atmosphere for team play is at its best. All players, including Yeo Jun-seok and Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Seung-hyun, Ahn Young-joon and Jung Sung-woo, have team-first minds. It is the best advantage of the current national team.
However, the reality is cold. It is not easy to overcome Australia, where the majority of European leagues are located, Japan and China, and the Middle East and the Philippines, which have strengthened their power with naturalized players.
In short, objective power falls. Korea is trying to break through difficulties with strong activity, strong rotation, and systematic team play. Manager Ahn Jun-ho's emphasis on rebounding is an attempt to fill the weakness of height with these advantages. However, the opponent is not playing still either. He will be fully prepared and play in the Asian Cup.
The variety of offensive routes in the warm-up matches of the first and second games is encouraging. Lee Hyun-joong, Lee Jung-hyun, and Yeo Jun-seok all took the role of ball handler, aiming for a shooting chance, and achieving a certain success. However, the teams that meet at the Asian Cup are superior in level one or two. Competitive teams with outstanding heights will try to control the Korean attack through Switch Defense. In this case, it is highly likely that there will be a set-offense dilemma in which Lee Hyun-joong and Lee Jung-hyun have to rely on their personal abilities.
Rebound is also emphasized in defense, but the inferiority in height is inevitable. That's why 'naturalization player' is a must. The most realistic and optimal way to enhance the national team's competitiveness.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
