FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024: India suffers 72pt(!) defeat to Korea
FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024: India suffers 72pt(!) defeat to Korea
The 47-119 loss to the defending champions is arguably India's largest margin of defeat at the men's Asia level, across all age groups.
In an unsurprising, but still painful to watch encounter, India was blown away by defending champions Korea 47-119 in the opening game of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024.
Subject to further verification, this 72-point margin of defeat is arguably India’s worst at the men’s Asia level, across all age groups.
The FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 is underway at the Prince Hamza Sport Hall in Amman, Jordan.
India no match for Korea’s speed
Right from the opening tip-off, the superior speed and intensity of the Koreans on both ends of the floor was on full display.
India, a team that already seemed to be struggling even during the South Asian Qualifiers back in July, before eventually overcoming Sri Lanka, found itself further exposed against a supremely disciplined and well-oiled East Asian Giant.
Korea’s defense was scary to behold, with their players putting on an exhibition in defensive sliding and active hands. Not only was it a struggle for India’s guards to bring the ball up the floor, but when they did, India’s offense was largely restricted to contested shots from the perimeter or the mid-range.
Upping the defensive ante
Korea also kept upping the defensive ante - bringing on the full-court press at the 6-minute mark in the first quarter, and incredibly, as early as the third-minute mark in the second frame. That’s how much in control the Koreans felt of the game.
To make matters worse, India’s own defense was largely porous and a half-step slow, allowing Korea to score at will, whether in transition, in half-court or from outside the three-point line.
India was especially guilty of a high number of poor close outs - a clear sign of being out of good defensive positions - leading to multiple shooting fouls and And-1 opportunities, which Korea easily capitalized on.
The only positive for India is that it got to play Korea first, which will quicken the pulses of the players ahead of its game against Iran, a traditionally slower and bigger team.
India (Lavish 10 pts, Vedansh Ranot 7 reb) lose to Korea (Jeonghyun Kim 17 pts 11 reb, Seungchae Gu 16 pts) 47-119 [11-31, 15-28, 9-25, 12-35]
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