TEHRAN (FIBA Asia Challenge 2016) - The time is upon us to start hostilities in the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016 in Tehran, Iran. Here are the four games to look forward to on the opening day.

Japan v Korea

Japan have always been a strong contender in the FIBA Asia Challenge. They placed second in 2010 and 2012, and are certainly looking for another good showing here. Korea, on the other hand, have been absent from the last four editions of this tournament, and they hope to return with aplomb and open their account on a bright note.

Iran v Qatar

Hosts Iran are expected to have a very good showing in this competition, but Qatar will try to spoil them on Day 1. Qatar are coming in with some veterans like Erfan Ali Saeed, Mohd Mohamed and Hassan Mohamed at the vanguard along with naturalized playmaker Boney Watson. They should provide a solid challenge against Iran’s renowned players, who are led by the fearsome frontline of Hamed Haddadi, Oshin Sahakian and Arsalan Kazemi.

China v Jordan

China will start their campaign against a dangerous Jordan side bannered by veterans Zaid Abbas, Mohammad Hadrab and Mousa Al-Awadi as well as new naturalized player Dar Tucker. The younger Chinese, for their part, will try to counter with a core led by Rio 2016 player Zou Yuchen and 2014 veteran Tao Hanlin.

Philippines v India

Much is expected of India, especially after showing steady improvement in the past two years, but they will get an acid test right on the first day against the Filipinos, who will be parading some of their best amateur talents. Collegiate hotshots Mac Belo, Arnold Van Opstal and Kevin Ferrer are set to lead this new-look Gilas Pilipinas, while old reliables Amjyot Singh, Amritpal Singh and Vishesh Bhriguvanshi oppose them on the Indian side.

FIBA