FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021 Division B Power Rankings, Volume 2
AMMAN (Jordan) - With the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021 Division B now heading into tournament crunch time, it's a perfect opportunity to reveal the second volume of the competition's Power Rankings.
Taking into account Volume 1 of the rankings before the games got underway and now taking into account results, performances and any mitigating circumstances, here's how they line up.
There will also be an updated second volume of the Power Rankings during the competition, before the Semi-Finals.
#1 Jordan (+4)
Tournament record: 2-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 123rd (Asia Rank 22nd)
Confession time... The ranking of 5th place heading into the event was more of a safety position incase there was an issue with the naturalized Natasha Cloud, who we had heard was in the mix. Now the WNBA champion has shown what she can do in a Jordan vest, the team has enjoyed a dream start. But the most impressive element has not been the Washington Mystics' guard, it has been that the hosts have had so many different players all stepping up.
Cloud herself insisted that she had seen enough in the locker room to suggest Jordan can do it and get that promotion ticket. On the evidence so far, it's hard to disagree, since so many different playerrs have all returned double-digits in scoring during one or both of their games. Marya Al Hinn, Zara Najjar and Rasha Abdo have impressed.
Their high tempo and pushing the ball at every opportunity is giving them plenty of possessions per game to get points on the board and they look like they have nothing to fear. Indeed with home support behind them, they can go all the way and Lebanon will have to be in top gear if they both meet in the Final.
#2 Lebanon (-)
Tournament record: 2-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 53rd (Asia Rank 8th)
It was a close-call as to whether Lebanon moved up into top spot, but the honor went to the host nation. Georges El Dabbak Geagea and his players maybe well claim that promotion spot, but Indonesia in the Semi-Finals makes it an arguably slightly more tricky path than Jordan has - on paper at least. Unbeaten, even if it is only two games, they were poor in their opener and played badly, but at least showed they have the nerve and composure to win a tight game under pressure. Their second outing against Syria was much more convincing, with the team doing all of the right things.
Lebanon has been led by a top class show from Rebecca Akl - someone who looks like she is most likely to carry her country to the top flight. She really was awesome against Syria. Now it is all about composure for Lebanon. If they do book a Final with Jordan, they will have to show they have the mental toughness to get the job done and show they always were the number one team in this competition.
#3 Indonesia
Tournament record: 2-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 74th (Asia Rank 12th)
There should be huge optimism about the capacity of Indonesia to not only compete for promotion in these last days of the tournament, but to also be a more permanent fixture on the international scene. The addition of Kim Pierre-Louis has been a masterstroke as they have used that naturalized card so well.
She gives them the presence inside and actually, the play of Gabriel Sophia alongside her has been really quite a joy to watch and she can definitely punch at this level. Very well coached and with some players like Henny Sutjiono who always look like they are capable of shifting the momentum, they have a lot of good things in place. It's been impressive, even if they lost to a buoyant Jordan.
#4 Kazakhstan (-3)
Tournament record: 1-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 59th (Asia Rank 9th)
Kazakhstan probably don't know whether to laugh or cry right now. They were awful in the first two games and their own coach described it as being a disaster. To be fair, they were number one in the pre-tournament rankings based on being able to bring a full quote of players. However, they were unable to field three of their better frontcourt powers and it has showed. Only Zalina Kurazova has really excelled through the competition and there have been too many below-par displays from players who should have been better.
Yet here were are talking about Kazakhstan having made the Semi-Finals with that win against Syria and so perhaps they can cause what would be a big surprise and go even further. For that to happen though, they need to play to the absolute limit of this group's potential. Not least, defensively, because they just don't look like they have a lot of firepower.
#5 Iran (+1)
Tournament record: 0-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 80th (Asia Rank 14th)
It is tough to have to choose between Iran and Syria. Some people might raise their eyebrows at moving Iran up, not least because Syria did beat them already. But now Iran has the chance to extract revenge and get the first win of the tournament in their final game.
In truth, Iran are unfortunate because whatever happens on Friday, they will undoubtedly leave Amman thinking about what might have been. Specifically, had they managed to pip Lebanon in that ultra-close first game of the competition.
There is no doubt that Iran has got game. They play more of a 3x3 style at times because they have real quickness and athleticism in the wing and foward spots. That more loose elements is a blessing and a curse, but overall there is plenty to build on and work with for the future. It has been great seeing Iran back in the women's global game.
#6 Syria (-2)
Tournament record: 1-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 92nd (Asia Rank 18th)
There were such high hopes for Syria heading into this competition as they secured a return for the first time since 1986. There was even more expectation and excitement when they got the early victory against Iran. But soon the wheels came crashing off. Not being able to field the highly influential Alicia Magarian due to an injury in the tournament began to take its toll and as other injuries ocurred, they had no answers to big losses against Lebanon and Kazakhstan.
The decision to bring in the naturalized Randi Brown has proved to be limited in its success, since what Syria really need is a frontcourt power as they do lack size and any true presence in the paint. That issue has been compounded by the fact that they have not shot the ball well. The one shining light has been Cedrea Sulaiman who has played well throughout, with the bigger positive being the fact that have shown they can be competitive and will have learned plenty.
So this might be are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
Paul Nilsen
The FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021 Division B Power Rankings are put together by our panel, led by FIBA's women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen. He eats, sleeps and breathes female hoops and is incredibly passionate about the promotion of the women's game at all levels. Paul uses an extensive network of players, coaches, clubs and Federations to shape his work and opinions.
