Josh Hawkinson, not Alex Kirk, takes on South Korea.
South Korea’s men’s basketball team, led by head coach Nicholas Marjules, will play the fourth round of the 2027 FIBA Qatar Basketball World Cup Asian qualifying round against Japan at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, Japan, on March 1 (Korea time).
South Korea suffered a shocking defeat in Taiwan last time out. Coach Marjules’s debut was highly anticipated and was expected to win because he had a strong advantage.
사진 확대 Josh Hawkinson, not Alex Kirk, takes on South Korea. Photo = Courtesy of FIBA
However, coach Marjules caused questions in everything from the plan against Taiwan to the use of players and adjustments in the game. There was little positive to see. It was not possible to grasp the characteristics of the players, which is the basic of the basics. As a result, it resulted in the worst defeat of Taiwan that no one expected.
It was a shocking defeat, but it is not a stage to be frustrated. If South Korea wins against Japan, it can be 3 wins and 1 loss and No. 1 in Group B. As it is a match between Korea and Japan held on March 1st, motivation is certain. Expectations are high again this time as he has given great strength in the atmosphere of underdogs.
사진 확대 Lee Hyun-joong will invade Okinawa from Japan, which is familiar to him. Photo = Courtesy of the Korea Basketball Association
On the contrary, if you lose, the situation is not good. It is not enough to doubt that he will advance to the second round. However, since it is a preliminary round for the Basketball World Cup, which means one win, defeat should be avoided as much as possible even in the present and future. In the end, the shock defeat against Taiwan worried even the worst.
South Korea’s entry against Japan remains unchanged. Unlike other countries, only 12 people have been selected, so we have to play the game with all our might now. On the other hand, Japan has an entry change compared to the last match against China. Hawkinson joined instead of Kirk, and Sadahara Ryo was selected instead of Watanabe Hugh.
Japan chose big men such as Kirk and Hugh against China, which has a good height. In fact, the two players showed good performance in the match against China. Against South Korea, Japan chose to shoot even if it gave up a little height. Hawkinson is Japan’s representative naturalized player who can travel inside and outside. Ryo is also familiar to domestic basketball fans as he is active in B. League and EASL.
사진 확대 Lee Jung-hyun should erase the disappointment of the last Taiwan match from the Japanese match. Photo = Courtesy of the Korea Basketball Association
In addition, Japan’s Yuta Watanabe, Yuki Togashi, Yudai Baba, Keisei Tominaga, and Yudai Nishida are holding out. They are certainly burdensome opponents because they also have home advantage.
South Korea desperately needs players other than Lee Hyun-joong and Yoo Ki-sang to play against Japan. With Lee Jung-hyun at the center, Korea’s pillars, including Ahn Young-joon and Lee Seung-hyun, should take the lead in the invasion of Okinawa.
Marjules also should not show the same performance as against Taiwan in the match against Japan. There is no other answer than a victory over Japan to erase the “Taiwan shock.” This time, it is necessary to explain why the Republic of Korea chose him.
사진 확대 Coach Nicholas Marjules made his worst debut. If the game against Japan is defeated, the situation will be serious. Photo = Courtesy of FIBA
[MIN JUN KU, MK Sports Reporter]
AloJapan.com