TOKYO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - The crucial Asian Qualifiers third window match between Japan and Australia will be played at a sold out Chiba Port Arena.

The pivotal affair - a virtual must-win for the Akatsuki Five - will be on 29 June, and it will be Japan's final home game of the first round. The Japan Basketball Association (JBA) has reported that 5,500 seats have been sold at the Chiba Port Arena.

There is no doubt that the tickets sold like hotcakes because of the rejuvenated spirit of the national team, which is mainly due to the entry of new naturalized player Nick Fazekas, who has impressed so far in his first two games with Japan, averaging 20.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in their two-game tune-up series with Korea.

The return of US NCAA rising star Rui Hachimura has also boosted the national team's stock. The 6ft 8in (2.02m) Hachimura delivers much-needed size, athleticism and scoring punch at the forward spot for Japan, whose backs are against the wall with a 0-4 win-loss record so far.

Victories against Australia and Chinese Taipei will surely put the Akatsuki Five through to the second round, especially if Taipei strengthen their cause by defeating the Philippines in their own third window encounter.

After their tussle with the Boomers, Japan will fly to Taipei to play Chinese Taipei on 2 July. Australia, for their part, will conclude their first round assignments when they collide with the Filipinos at the Philippine Arena also on 2 July.

FIBA