MIES (Switzerland) - As we get to the business end of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers with Second Round action in under two weeks, it'll be wise to look back at July's Window 3.
After all, how the teams ended the First Round bleeds into our expectations from them in the final phase of qualifying.
Guam, Chinese Taipei, Iraq and India will be watching the Second Round on their screens.
This leaves 12 outfits, including Qatar who are qualified as hosts, from Asia and Oceania fighting for 7 spots in next year's global showpiece.
Besides the last-gasp drama of staving off early elimination, Window 3 delivered heart-stopping and eye-popping theatre in more ways than one.
From heroic never-say-die battles to historic stat-stuffing performances, here are our top five recollections from First Round's finale.
New Zealand outlast Philippines in 2OT
When was the last time a World Cup Qualifiers game needed 10 added minutes in double-overtime to find a winner?
Such was the frenzy and spirit when Tall Blacks travelled to Manila to face Gilas. We knew the result would be close - after all their previous two meetings were decided by a margin of 4 points or less.
But no one saw this coming. Scores tied at the final buzzer, not once, but twice, before New Zealand prevailed 106-102.
Korea confounded by Chinese Taipei
Korea started flawlessly in the First Round, beating China twice. Then came the slump - three straight losses - two of which were versus Chinese Taipei. That's saying something considering Group B also had toppers Japan, with whom Korea split the head-to-head outcomes.
In simple terms, Korea struggled more facing the bottom-placed team in the group, rather than against the two traditional East Asian powerhouses.
Records tumble
When group leaders duel those at the bottom, naturally the mismatch can be glaring. More often than not, the numbers reflect the yawning gaps. Such was the case when Australia and New Zealand took on Guam in Group A, and Lebanon visited India in Group D.
While the Boomers set a new global three-point record, New Zealand bettered their own Asian marks in points, field goals and assists.
For the Cedars, it was the individual brilliance of playmaker Ali Mezher, whose 15 single-game dishes were the best in Asian Qualifiers history.
Japan stun China
Those unfamiliar with this rivalry will be surprised to note that prior to the 92-73 verdict in Window 3, Japan were a woeful 2-20 against China in major FIBA competitions dating back to the 1936 Olympics!
What made the win even more impressive is that it came in Shenyang, an away encounter, and built upon the historic 76-73 triumph in the Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, that ended an 88-year-wait.
So will Japan continue balancing the scales, or will China nip this ascendancy in the bud? Only time will tell.
But if nothing else, this massive victory ensured Japan topped Group B, with the Red Dragons progressing in third place at the expense of Taipei.
Boomers stay undefeated
A dominant Australian team in continental competition is no news, sure. But the Boomers became the only side to sport a perfect record after three windows of qualifying. From Groups C and D, Iran and Lebanon came close, going 5-1, followed by Japan's 4-2 in Group B.
Can the Aussie juggernaut finally be stopped in Window 4?
Which of these memorable moments stood out for you the most?
FIBA