South Korea Dominates China in World Cup Qualifying, Fueling Geopolitical rivalry
South Korea secured two decisive victories over china in recent Asian qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup, winning 80-76 on the road and 90-76 at home. The second game proved especially challenging for the Chinese team, with the score gap reaching a 30-point deficit at one stage, allowing South Korea to finish the match with substitute players.
During the first match in China, Korean guard Lee Hyun-jung set a new record for the planet’s premiership qualifiers, sinking nine three-pointers.
South Korean head coach Jeon Hee-cheol hailed the wins as the most meaningful in the history of encounters between the two nations, adding a layer of political significance. He noted the historical tensions, referencing China’s support for North Korea in its ongoing conflict with South Korea.
South Korea is striving to qualify for the World Cup after being sidelined from the 2023 tournament due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the team.
In Group B, Japan also achieved two wins against Taiwan. The top three teams from the group will advance to the second qualifying round, carrying their accumulated points forward.
