JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - The tension will be high in Jeddah as India, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia play in a high stakes version of musical chairs for Asia Cup qualification. All teams have put in their best efforts to make it this far and now one team will have to move forward empty handed.

How do these teams stack up heading into this decisive stage?

India

The South Asian powerhouse got out of Group D with two wins over Iraq to finish at third place and land a spot in this Qualifying Tournament. While going winless against Bahrain and Lebanon certainly hurt, beating a tough team like Iraq twice is certainly not an easy feat either.

Heading in to this Qualifying Tournament, India won’t be holding back and have rostered what might be the biggest lineup among all three teams. The familiar stars from the Qualifiers whether it’s Amjyot Singh, Vishesh Bhriguvashi, or Muin Bek Hafeez are all back and they’ll be getting a much-needed boost from the return of Amritpal Singh.

What’s at stake

India have played in 9 consecutive Asia Cups since 2001. They’ll be giving it their all to avoid that streak being stopped.

They also have plenty of bright young talents in the pipeline like Princepal Singh and Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon, so qualifying for the Asia Cup and giving these youngsters an opportunity to shine at the biggest stage of Asia & Oceania basketball will be important.

Player to Watch: Amritpal Singh

Throughout the Qualifiers, coach Veselin Matic has continuously emphasized the importance of having Amritpal Singh as the big man in the middle. The 2.08M (6’10”) center averaged 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in the first two games of the Qualifiers but wasn’t able to play in the remaining games while nursing an injury.

He’s been listed on the roster for the Qualifying Tournament and will be an important piece for India as they aim to qualify.

Palestine

Palestine also finished with a 2-4 record, through that record might look a lot better if you zoom in a bit.

Playing against Kazakhstan and Jordan on the road is certainly not easy. However, Palestine were able to come away within only 3 points of a win in both contests. As long as Sani Sakakini can get rolling, Palestine are going to be able to beat any team they face which they will need to do here in the Qualifying Tournament in Jeddah.

What’s at stake

Palestine have played in the Asia Cup only once back in 2015 and they made sure the fans would remember as they started with a major upset against the Philippines.

They’ll be hoping to qualify for a second time through the Qualifying Tournament here, though they might not be able to catch teams by surprise this time around should they make it to Jakarta.

Player to Watch: Kyndall Dykes

It's only normal that Sani Sakakini will demand attention from the opposing teams' defense as usual. Therefore, Palestine will need another star to step up and apply more pressure on the offensive end.

Dykes has been filling in that role so far through the Qualifiers by averaging 21.5 points per game while also grabbing 7.8 rebounds and dishing out 6.3 assists. Palestine will need him to continue producing such gaudy numbers in these upcoming games.

Saudi Arabia

There wasn’t as close a race to claim the final qualifying ticket in their respective groups than that between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia needed to score only three more points in their win over Syria to claim the tiebreaker and finish at second place in Group E. However, they came up just short and will now have to put in a bit more work to make it to Jakarta.

That’s what might give them the upper hand here in Jeddah, aside from having homecourt advantage. Saudi Arabia showed in their battles against Iran, Syria, and Qatar that they are one of the best teams in transition and play with an intensity on the defensive end that is tough to match.

What’s at stake

Saudi Arabia have been to the Asia Cup only twice since they finished all the way up at third place back in 1999. It’s taken a while to bring the program back up, but that’s what they’ve done recently - and done well.

Player to Watch: Mohammed Alsuwailem

Fans have watched as the Mohammed Alsuwailem blossom in front of their very eyes through the Asia Cup Qualifiers. His size at 2.08M (6’10”) is what initially drew attention, but now he’s shown that he can anchor the defense for his team with his strength and shot-blocking as well.

The 23-year-old center still has plenty of room to improve and fans hope that will help propel Saudi Arabia to Asia Cup qualification.

FIBA