Japan's men's basketball team emerged victorious against Mongolia with a score of 89-79 during their Asia Cup 2025 qualifying match held on the 23rd of February. The game, which took place on Mongolian soil, showcased the resilience of the Japanese squad, ranked 21st globally, against the 109th ranked Mongolian team.
Despite facing setbacks, including injuries and the absence of key players like Yuki Togashi and Yuta Watanabe, Japan managed to secure their place for the Asia Cup set to be held in Saudi Arabia this August.
During the match, Japan initially struggled, finishing the first half leading by just two points, 46-44. Tom Horvath, head coach of the Japanese team, expressed his relief post-game, stating, "The Chinese game wasn't very good, and we have many injured players, but they did well," recognizing the fierce competition posed by Mongolia.
Although Mongolia displayed offensive persistence, Japan's scoring from players like Ren Kakinuma and Keisei Tominaga proved decisive. Kakinuma, who emerged as one of the standout performers, contributed significantly to pushing the lead late in the game with important three-point shots.
Thinking back on his team’s performance, Tominaga noted, "Today, everyone really hung on for 40 minutes, and I’m glad we could win at the last moment," highlighting the team's collective effort and endurance throughout the match. Yet, he also hinted at areas needing improvement, saying, "I think we can’t go on like this as the Japanese national team. We want to aim for higher things." This sentiment reflects the ambition within the team as they set their eyes on the upcoming Asia Cup.
Japan has not claimed victory at the Asia Cup since 1969 and is focused on breaking this long-standing drought. The qualifiers were wrapped up with Japan finishing the series with five wins and only one loss, allowing them to earn their spot for the tournament later this year. The sense of urgency looms as Horvath remains contemplative about team selection and strategy moving forward. "I don’t know about the Asia Cup roster yet," he elaborated, noting the continuing uncertainty due to player health and performance. If his team had failed to clinch the win against Mongolia, Horvath admitted it would have left them with "five months of tough feelings."
Japan's basketball path has been marked with challenges, particularly as they gear up for the Asia Cup amid fierce competition. The young team's performance, particularly against Mongolia, may provide valuable lessons and experience as they strive to achieve unprecedented success this August. With this newfound resolve, Japan is hopeful to finally bring home the championship title they've aspired to regain for over five decades.