FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Third Window

 The third window of the first round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers tips off in two days. 16 teams participating in the event from Asian and Oceania region are competing for seven (7) slots in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The first two windows of the first round were played on November 2017 and February 2018.

The 16 teams are currently divided into four groups consisting of four teams each. Only the top three teams from each group will advance to the second stage. Records from stage one will carry over into stage two. In the next stage, the remaining 12 teams will form two groups and will play in another round which will consist of three windows. These windows will be held on September 2018, November 2018 and February 2019. The top three teams from each group, plus the fourth placing team with the most points will also advance.

Here’s a look at the current standings:

Group A

1. New Zealand 3-1
2. China 3-1
3. South Korea 2-2
4. Hong Kong 0-4

Group B

1. Australia 4-0
2. Philippines 3-1
3. Chinese Taipei 1-3
4. Japan 0-4

Group C

1. Jordan 4-0
2. Lebanon 3-1
3. Syria 1-3
4. India 0-4

Group D

1. Iran 3-1
2. Kazakhstan 3-1
3. Qatar 1-3
4. Iraq 1-3

Oceanic nations, Australia and New Zealand will get the benefit of seeing some of their international players, who had commitments in pro leagues during the first two windows, take the floor. The Philippines, in a move to better challenge Australia in Group B has deployed a revamped roster of its own. China, which is hosting the 2019 World Cup is looking to move up in the Group A standings, counting on their homecourt advantage to take their squad over the top during these sets of home-and-away games.

As things stand, Australia and Jordan are pretty much a lock to advance to the next stage. Qatar and Iraq will be fighting for their survival in this window with 1-3 records. Teams with 0-4 records like India and Japan are not out of the running to make it through. They will, however, need some luck that the teams immediately ahead of them in the standings to drop a game or two.

Stay tuned as we cover the World Cup from all of the regions in the coming days.