TOKYO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Japan have retooled their roster to improve their chances in the third Asian Qualifiers window, but will it be enough to beat Australia?

The Australians have recently released their 12-man roster for the third window, and it looks even stronger than the squad that already won the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 and who have gone undefeated in the Asian Qualifiers.

Leading the way for the Boomers are two NBA players - floor general Matthew Dellavedova and big man Thon Maker. They join a unit that already boasts some of the most productive players in the Asian Qualifiers - Daniel Kickert, Jason Cadee and Nick Kay.

That's the kind of opposition Japan will face on 29 June at the Chiba Port Arena, and though the odds may not be in their favor, the Akatsuki Five do have some aces up their sleeve.

Former youth team stalwarts Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura have made their mark in the US NCAA, and they have returned home to bolster Japan's chances. With both forwards standing 6ft 8in (2.02m), they give the Akatsuki Five a lot of size at the wing position, but perhaps more importantly, they also bring a lot of versatility. Watanabe is known for his consistent jumpshot, while Rachimura's athleticism has been his calling card. With both rising stars in tow, Japan should better match up with the Boomers' length and depth.

The biggest difference-maker for the East Asia side, however, could be their new call-up Nick Fazekas. The 6ft 11in (2.11m) center was born to Hungarian immigrants in the United States, has played in various leagues around the world and has been a fixture in Japanes basketball since 2012. He replaces Ira Brown as Japan's naturalized player, giving much-needed size, toughness and scoring ability in the middle.

The 32-year-old Fazekas could match up well with Kickert and Maker around the basket, with Hachimura and Watanabe completing an imposing froncourt. Of course, Japan's trademark speed and shooting will still be present, especially with the likes of Makoto Hiejima, Daiki Tanaka and Yuki Ttogashi still in the mix.

This much the Japanese showed in their first preparation game, beating Korea, 88-80, today at the Ota City General Gymnasium. As expected, Fazekas and Hachimura came to the fore, scoring 28 and 17 points respectively to lead the hosts' win over their rivals. This, for sure, has raised Japan's confidence moving forward as they play Korea in another preparation game on 17 June in Sendai.

Fast forward to when Australia and Japan clash on 29 June - the crowd in Chiba should be raucous, and their spirit should buoy the Akatsuki Five's resolve as well as boost their chances of performing at a high level. The Boomers, however, will always remain the favorites to win, more so now with two bona fide NBA talents joining the fray, but if the Japanese catch the Aussies on a cold spell, anything can happen.

FIBA