*This content was translated by AI.
For the first time in Korean men's basketball history, coach Nicolás Majuls (Latvia) made a humiliating debut. South Korean basketball, which gained momentum by defeating basketball powerhouse China in a row just two months ago, lost to Taiwan, which is considered one step below, losing its pride.
South Korea was defeated 65-77 by Taiwan in the opening match of the second Asian qualifying round for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup held at Shinjuang Gymnasium in Taiwan on the 26th. Marjules was humiliated by a 12-point loss in his first official game at the helm of the Korean national team.
Although it is the first game since the coach took office, this debut match is close to a disaster. In December last year, Korea showed off its potential by winning two consecutive games against Asian giants China under interim coach Jeon Hee-chul. In particular, he recorded an overwhelming 90-76 victory in the second round at home.
Taiwan, Marjules' debut opponent, was the weakest team to lose 13 of the 14 World Cup qualifiers and lose all of its last 11 games before the qualifying period.
The defense has collapsed to the extent that it has lost more than 80 points in the last six consecutive games, but it has easily solved the game with a relaxed defense and offense against South Korea. It is the third time in 17 years that South Korea lost to Taiwan in the FIBA tournament since the 2009 FIBA Asia Cup and the third loss in history.
The flow of the game was disastrous. South Korea got off to a good start with a 7-0 run shortly after the start of the game, but the momentum didn't last long.
It was the last time he took a 13-12 lead with Lee Hyun-joong's layup midway through the first quarter. South Korea then turned the tables on Taiwan's Benson Lin, allowing a 3-pointer, before failing to regain control for about 34 minutes until the end of the game. In particular, it was crucial that Taiwan was allowed to run 0-12 from the second half of the second quarter to the beginning of the third quarter, with the score gap widened from 33-40 to 33-52.
The appointment of players was also somewhat difficult to understand. Although it was inevitable for rookie Kang Ji-hoon to make his debut due to the injuries of key big men such as Ha Yoon-ki and Lee Won-seok, it remained a question that Yoo Ki-sang, who was in good condition, played for just a minute while on the bench throughout the first half. Yoo Ki-sang, who was put in the second half, scored 13 points in 14 minutes and 25 seconds, showing the most efficient attack in the team, adding to the regret of coach Marjules' appointment as a player.
In particular, Lee Jung-hyun, who scored 13 points and seven assists in the first game against China and six 3-pointers (6/7) in the second game, was so powerful that he attempted four 3-pointers in the match against Taiwan that he made only one.
In terms of the game, South Korea was completely overwhelmed by Taiwan. The field goal success rate was a disastrous 31.5%, and the turnovers self-destructed, committing 18 more than Taiwan (13). Taiwan's naturalized player Brandon Gilbek scored 18 points and 16 rebounds, devastating South Korea's bottom of the net.
Lee Hyun-joong, who was burdened with offense alone, struggled with 18 points and eight rebounds by successively making tough shots, but he was sent off with about four minutes left before the end of the fourth quarter, losing the momentum of the chase.
Despite the loss, South Korea maintained its second place in Group B with two wins and one loss, but failed to close the gap with No. 1 Japan. Leaving the Taiwan match behind, the Marjules will now move to Okinawa and face Japan on March 1.
Marjules, who is in desperate need of restoring his honor in the Korea-Japan match, said through the Korea Basketball Association, "I will supplement and make changes. "In the next game (against Japan), the team will have to play accurately and responsibly to take it to the next level," he said.
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*This content was translated by AI.
