2021 FIBA ASIA CUP QUALIFIER PREVIEW: AUSTRALIA vs. HONG KONG

After a suffering a 108-98 upset loss to New Zealand in their first FIBA Asia Cup qualifier last week, Australia will look to bounce back against Hong Kong this Sunday in Brisbane.

When: Sunday, 23rd February / Tip-off at 12:30 pm (local time)
Where: Nissan Arena, Brisbane
Broadcast: Live on FOX Sports and Kayo
Tickets still available through Ticketek

The Matchup:

On paper, the Boomers currently ranked 3rd best in the world by FIBA, look like an overwhelming matchup for the 106th ranked Hong Kong side, who went winless in last year’s FIBA World Cup and lost to Australia 99-58 when they last played each other at the 2017 Asia Cup tournament.

However, the game will serve as an important opportunity for the young Boomers squad, featuring six debutants and only two players from last year’s FIBA World Cup, to further develop their team chemistry ahead of their Olympics run.

Players To Watch:

Boomer veterans, Cameron Gliddon and Nathan Sobey, each had 13 points and four rebounds in their game against New Zealand and will be looked to once gain to anchor a new squad that is still gelling.

Todd Blanchfield will look to continue his hot hand after dropping a team-high 17 points against the Tall Blacks.

For Hong Kong, Lee Ki has been a team staple over the years with three FIBA Asia Cup appearances. The 31-year-old sharpshooter’s long-range game continues to improve and he could be a tricky matchup for the Australian side.

Import Centre Duncan Overbeck Reid averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 assists during last year’s FIBA World Cup and could be another player to watch.

Australian Boomers Roster

Guards: Kyle Adnam (South East Melbourne Phoenix), Jason Cadee (Brisbane Bullets), Cameron Gliddon (Brisbane Bullets), Sunday Dech (Illawarra Hawks), Josh Giddey (Centre of Excellence), Angus Glover (Illawarra Hawks), Daniel Grida (Illawarra Hawks) and Nathan Sobey (Brisbane Bullets)

Forwards: Todd Blanchfield (Illawarra Hawks) and Dane Pineau (South East Melbourne Phoenix)

Centres: Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks) and Matt Hodgson (Brisbane Bullets)

Head Coach: Will Weaver

Hong Kong Roster:

http://www.fiba.basketball/asiacup/2021/qualifiers/team/Hong-Kong#|tab=roster

Qualification Process:

• Australia and Hong Kong are competing in Group C along with New Zealand and Guam

• After three (3) windows, the Top two (2) teams from each group will qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021. The six (6) third placed teams will advance to play a final qualifying tournament in February 2021 and the Top four (4) from this tournament will qualify for FIBA Asia Cup 2021.

• Schedule:
First Window
20 February 2020: Australia vs New Zealand, Brisbane, 6.30 pm (local)
23 February 2020: Australia vs Hong Kong, Brisbane, 12.30 pm (local)
Second Window
27 November 2020: Guam vs Australia, TBC
30 November 2020: New Zealand vs Australia, TBC
Third Window
18 February 2021: Hong Kong v Australia, Hong Kong (TBC)
30 November 2021: Australia vs Guam, TBC

After a suffering a 108-98 upset loss to New Zealand in their first FIBA Asia Cup qualifier last week, Australia will look to bounce back against Hong Kong this Sunday in Brisbane. When: Sunday, 23rd February / Tip-off at 12:30 pm…

Basketball Australia

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