KUALA LUMPUR (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Malaysia coach Paul Advincula is thrilled to have the opportunity to play at the FIBA Asia Championship but also fully aware of how difficult the games will be for his team.

The Malaysians qualified for the event, which is to be held in Changsha, China (23 September-3 October) with a good performance at the SEABA Championship earlier this summer.

The opposition is going to be much tougher at the tournament in the Far East, though, with Malaysia set to go up against Iran, Japan and a South Asia qualifier in Group A.

How difficult does it promise to be in China?

For starters, Iran have captured three of the last four titles in the FIBA Asia Championship and Japan also look dangerous.

"Well, it is going to be tough playing with these two top teams which no doubt are more superior than us but I am a positive person," Advincula said to FIBA.com.

Who knows? We might pull up a win in our group. - Advincula

Malaysia did have some good moments at the SEABA Championship, a tournament that was won by a Gilas (Philippines) Cadets squad.

"The SEABA qualifying this summer was quite tough playing against Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia," Advincula said.

"Our team played as I have expected."

Advingula is a Filipino and accepts there is a huge gulf in class between Malaysia and his homeland, and other teams in Asia - a topic he addressed earlier this year.

In his interview with FIBA, the coach identified two areas where Malaysia must improve if they are to have any hope of springing upsets in Changsha.

"We have to improve our defense primarily to contain the big man of our opponents, as well as our offensive end which hopefully will give us a chance to go to the first round," Advincula said.

So who should the fans look out for in the Malaysia squad?

Kwaan Yoong Jing is the leader of this team, and a couple of emerging players to keep an eye on in Changsha will be Ivan Yeo and Ma Chee Khuen.

Malaysia squad: Tong Wen Keong, Ma Chee Khuen, Choo Wei Hong, Ivan Yeo, Kuek Tian Yuan, Soo Eng Heng, Vincent Choong, Ryan Liaw, Kwaan Yoong Jing, Teo Kok Hou, Mak Lok Seng, Tan Kian Hoong.

FIBA