BEIRUT (Lebanon) – Philippines, Korea, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Syria, Jordan, and Kazakhstan are the latest teams to qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021.
With Lebanon, Bahrain and the hosts Indonesia, a total of 13 teams have now qualified for the premiere continental event, which will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from August 17-29.
The last three places will be determined via the Qualifying Tournament for third-ranked teams to be played in Jakarta from August 12-14.
FIBA Asia Cup 2021
Tournament hosts: Indonesia
Group A: Philippines, Korea
Group B: China, Japan
Group C: Australia, New Zealand
Group D: Lebanon, Bahrain
Group E: Iran, Syria
Group F: Jordan, Kazakhstan
Iran was the first to qualify from the recent bubble in Amman. The win vs Qatar clinched a return for the three-time champions who were runners up in the previous edition of the competition in 2017.
The next day, Jordan and Kazakhstan secured their tickets to FIBA Asia Cup 2021. The Falcons went undefeated throughout the Qualifiers and the 2011 finalists will be returning for a ninth straight appearance, while Kazakhstan will be making their fourth straight trip to the Asia Cup.
Palestine, who finished third, advance to the Qualifying Tournament for third-ranked teams.
The final ticket secured from the Jordan bubble was by Syria who edged out Qatar in a tightly contested battle. Syria will now be returning for a second straight Asia Cup appearance. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia advances to the Qualifying Tournament for third-ranked teams.
The Philippines and Korea were the first two teams to qualify for Asia Cup 2021 from the Philippines bubble following Korea’s win over Indonesia. Two-time champion Korea maintains their streak of never missing an Asia Cup, while 5-time champion the Philippines is headed for their 7th straight appearance.
For groups B and C, qualification for the FIBA Asia Cup will be based on the games played to date. New Zealand and Australia qualify for FIBA Asia Cup 2021 as the top two teams in Group C. Guam advance to the Qualifying Tournament for third-ranked teams.
As Malaysia did not participate in the Philippines bubble, China and Japan qualify as the top two teams from Group B, while Chinese Taipei advance to the Qualifying Tournament for third-ranked teams.
In Group D, India, which finished at the third position, will participate in the Qualifying Tournament for third-ranked teams.