"Oh my gosh" Korean basketball "One-handed Korea" lost to Taiwan... Now, Marjules will challenge for his 'first win' in the March 1 Independence Movement Korea-Japan match.

*This content was translated by AI.

South Korea's men's basketball team suffered a shock defeat to Taiwan, which is considered one level below in its first game under the leadership of a foreign coach.

South Korea's men's basketball team, led by head coach Nikolais Majuls (Latvia), lost 65-77 to Taiwan in the third Group B match of the Asian qualifying round for the 2027 FIBA World Cup at Shinjuang Gymnasium in Taipei, Taiwan on the 26th.

South Korea, which gained momentum by defeating Asia's strongest China under the interim coach Jeon Hee-chul in November last year, bowed its head in its first official game since the appointment of Marjules. It is the first time in about eight years and eight months that South Korea lost to Taiwan in an international competition since the East Asian Championship final in June 2017.

The biggest cause of the defeat on the day was the extreme "outrage of field battles." South Korea's final field goal success rate remained at 31.5% (23/73). In particular, the two-point shooting success rate (27.5%) was not much different from the three-point shooting success rate (24.2%). Taiwan, on the other hand, recorded a high fielding rate of 45.3%. Korea has 18 turnovers and Taiwan has 13. South Korea led 45-39 in rebounding.

In Korea, Lee Hyun-joong struggled with 18 points and eight rebounds. Yoo Ki-sang scored a total of 13 points, including three 3-pointers, while playing only 14 minutes and 25 seconds. On the other hand, in Taiwan, naturalized player Gilbeke dominated the basket with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Lin Ting-chen also contributed to Taiwan's victory with 18 points.

South Korea, which had two wins and one loss (five points) due to the loss on the day, maintained its second place in Group B. Japan (2 wins and 1 loss), which lost to China on the same day, maintained its No. 1 position by leading in goal difference. Now, Marjules will try again to win his first victory as a Korean head coach at the Korea-Japan match in Okinawa, Japan, on March 1.

South Korea, which finished the first quarter 18-21, three points behind, was even more shaken in the second quarter. In the end, they ended the first half by giving up a lead of 33-43, 10 points. Then, in the third quarter, the gap widened to 33-52 and 19 points. With Lee Hyun-joong and Lee Jung-hyun struggling, they chased 51-60, but that was it. In the end, Lee Hyun-joong fell to his knees with a Red Card of five fouls in the middle of the fourth quarter.

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*This content was translated by AI.