GOYANG (Korea) - Facing a must-win scenario, Korea showed nerves of steel to beat Japan 81-79 and progress to the Second Round of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The last time these two sides faced off in Window 2, Japan had prevailed 78-72.
So their subsequent meeting was expected to be a tense affair, and it certainly lived up to its billing.
Korea did extremely well to win despite the absence of their star forward Hyunjung Lee. After trailing by 11 points, Korea took a one point, 55-54, lead at the end of the third period and then held on in the final frame for the uplifting win.
The East Asian side now returns to the Second Round of the Qualifiers, after a gap of seven years, having missed the bus in 2023.
World Cup Pedigree
KOREA
Number of participations: 8
Last participation: 2019
Best finish: 11th (1970)
Past Qualifiers
Edition | Record |
2019 | 10-2 (2nd in Group E - Second Round) |
Who will they face in the Second Round?
Group F
The top three teams from Group B and Group D will form Group F in the Second Round, carrying over all results from the First Round.
Group B |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Japan, China, Korea |
In contention |
|
Eliminated | Chinese Taipei |
Group D |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon |
In contention |
|
Eliminated | India |
FIBA