AMMAN (Jordan) - The FIBA Women's Asia Cup  2021 Division B is approaching and here is everything you need to know about the event in Amman, including a group by group analysis. 

When and where does it take place and what is at stake?

The tournament takes place between Sunday November 7 and Saturday November 13 and is hosted by Jordan, who recently hosted the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, which was won by Japan.  A total of six nations will compete in this Division B tournament. They will be split into two groups and will try to and make it to the knockout stages.

 Lebanon will be one of the frontrunners and expected to challenge for promotion 

Four teams will land in the Semi-Finals, while two countries will miss out. The main prize at the event is that the eventual winners will move up and replace the recently relegated India at the next edition of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in 2023. Check out the Competition System HERE. 

What is the history of these nations in FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division B?

This is the beauty of the 2021 edition of this competition. Multiple teams are playing here for the first time in the modern era, with three teams having spent more than 30 years away. While both Kazakhstan and Lebanon have been regulars, along with Indonesia who featured in 2011 and 2013, it's a very different story for the other three competing countries.

 It's 35 years since Syria took part in this competition

Jordan have not been involved since 1995, Syria not since 1986 and it is almost a staggering 50 years since Iran took part, with this being their first time stepping out since 1974. Such a diverse history and tradition of the participants is just one of the reasons to be so excited for what lies ahead!

Where can I follow the games?

 You can follow the latest updates across all FIBA Women's Asia Cup channels including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - also using #FIBAAsiaCupWomen.  

Group A - Iran, Lebanon, Syria

Favorites: Lebanon will be overwhelming favorites to get it done and top this group because of the strength in depth that they have and because at the previous edition in 2017 they came third and could have done even better. They have some very talented players, a real leader in Rebecca Akl, plus that all-important know-how of playing at this level.

Dark Horse: Can Syria make things akward for Lebanon considering they have got a naturalized a player and also come having shown signs of doing well in preparation?

Five To Watch:  Rebecca Akl (LEB), Alicia Magarian (SYR),Shadi Abdolvand (IRI),  Chirine El Charif (LEB), Randi Brown (SYR)

FIBA WORLD RANKING, PRESENTED BY NIKE  

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	ASIA RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS	+/- RANK *
53.	Lebanon	8.	LBN	115.1	0
80.	Iran	14.	IRI	76.2	+1
92.	Syria	18.	SYR	69.0	+1

Group B - Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan

Favorites: Kazakhstan only just missed out on promotion at the last edition with a nail-biting loss to India in the Final. That underlined their quality and they have several returnees. They also have players who have competed regulary in national team jerseys in 3x3 and consequently they should top this group and it would probably be deemed a shock if they didn't.

Dark Horse: What did Jordan just do with naturalizing of a WNBA star in Natasha Cloud? An amazing boost, so could they have just transformed their propsects and make their fifth place ranking in the First Volume of the Power Rankings look foolish?

Five To Watch: Natasha Cloud (JOR), Tamara Yagodkina (KAZ), Kim Pierre-Louis (INA), Dana Fadda (JOR), Zalina Kurazova (KAZ)

FIBA WORLD RANKING, PRESENTED BY NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	ASIA RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS	+/- RANK *
59.	Kazakhstan	9.	KAZ	102.5	+4
74.	Indonesia	12.	INA	85.0	-1
123.	Jordan	22.	JOR	25.8	-2

FIBA