Can Lebanon overcome their dreadful history against Korea?
BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Lebanon have had their fits against East Asia side Korea, but they hope to overcome those demons tonight in their Asia Cup 2017 opener.
Lebanon have not had great success against Korea in the history of Asian basketball, especially in the last few years, where the Koreans have had the better of their West Asia foes. In their last three meetings at this level, Korea have frustrated Lebanon twice. The East Asians blew the Cedars out, 80-62, in the 2011 edition in Wuhan and then followed that up with a 85-71 beating two years ago in Chagsha-Hunan. Lebanon finally broke the curse in their battle for fifth place, 88-87, behind the combined 46 points of Bassel Bawji and Amir Saoud also in 2015.
Coach Ramunas Butautas will certainly want his squad to be at their best tonight as they open their Asia Cup 2017 campaign against a tough rival whose style of play has been somewhat of a bane for the Cedars.
Key Matchups: Forward play will be critical for Lebanon. That means both Ali Haidar and living legend Fadi El Khatib will have to be at their optimal level. Haidar will square off against the returning Oh SeKeun, who was not around in 2015 but who spanked Lebanon for 13 points and 7 rebounds in 2011. SeKeun is very strong and skilled, so Haidar will have his hands full keeping the burly Korean frontliner in check. As for Fadi, there really is nobody on this Korean squad who can matchup with him one-on-one, so he will need to take advantage of that and score almost at will.
Key Stats: It is very difficult to engage a team like Korea in a straight up shootout because the Koreans are so disciplined and efficient, but that's exactly how Lebanon upended them in their last encounter in 2015. The Lebanese will have to match Korea's shooting prowess but at the same time tighten up on defense to force a lot of turnovers. Korea turned the ball over 17 times the last time these two sides met, and if the Cedars can put the clamps on the Koreans defensively again, then they should book their first win of the Asia Cup.
FIBA
