Brothers, plans have changed! The Asian Cup will feature a showdown between China and South Korea? Long-time fans say, bring it on!

Brothers, plans have changed!

It was initially thought that the next opponent for the Chinese men's basketball team would likely be Lebanon, but what happened... South Korea hit 22 three-pointers and ultimately defeated Lebanon.After this match, South Korea ranks second in Group A, and they will face Guam, the third team from Group B, in the quarterfinals. The winner will then take on China, the first team from Group C.

The confirmed quarterfinal matchups are: Japan vs. Lebanon, South Korea vs. Guam, Saudi Arabia vs. the Philippines, and Taiwan vs. Jordan.

This game, which changed the situation, was shocking but hard to define as an upset.

Firstly, Lebanon, without Al-Akali, although having naturalized player Lawson, was not as strong as expected.

Especially their defensive efficiency was poor, giving the opponent plenty of open shots.

From South Korea's perspective, hitting 22 three-pointers at a 57% shooting rate is something they can do against any team in the Asian Cup... This 22 three-pointers set a new single-game record for this Asian Cup.

In this game, Yoo Ki-sang played for 29 minutes, shooting 10 of 16, hitting 8 of 12 three-pointers, scoring 28 points with 2 rebounds, a shooting percentage of 62.5%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 66.7%.

Li Hyun-joong, known in the community as "Korean Klay," scored 28 points, hitting 7 of 13 from beyond the arc.

In an NBA 48-minute game, hitting 22 three-pointers is already high-level. In FIBA's 40-minute format, scoring 22 three-pointers is an absurd statistic.

Just from this one aspect, they scored 66 points, so Lebanon's loss isn't unjustified.

However, don’t think South Korea was just performing above their level; if they truly encounter it, don’t ask, “Can he make the shot?”

Coach, they really can make the shot.

Broadly speaking, this is a typical "old South Korean team style."

In recent years, with the rise of West Asian teams, the South Korean men's basketball team has gradually lost its position in Asia.

In the last World Cup, they failed to qualify.

Many of their existing problems are similar to those we face here:A talent gap, outdated concepts, a closed league, and a rigid system.

The South Korean men's basketball team needs one more thing: a lack of funding for the national team.

But overall, the South Korean team has lost its identity.

If you are a long-time fan, you would know that before Japan and Iran rose, the China-South Korea matchups were often the most common scenes in previous Asian Games basketball finals or Asian Championships finals.

The "small, fast, agile" style of South Korean basketball is fundamental to its standing in Asian basketball, with three-point accuracy and teamwork being benchmarks in Asia.

But in recent years, they have lost that edge.

From a long-time fan's simple sentiment, I really hope to see another "China-South Korea showdown" at this year's Asian Cup.

Writing this brings back many memories, both sweet and painful.

The 2002 Busan Asian Games became a scar in the hearts of the men's basketball team. With 30 seconds left in the final quarter, they still led 90-83, but ended up losing in overtime.

The 2003 Asian Championship was held in Harbin.

The Chinese men's basketball team defeated South Korea by 10 points and secured a ticket to the Athens Olympics. In that game, Yao Ming scored 30 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots, dominating Ha Seung-jin.

Also, let's not forget the unexpected hero Jiao Jian and the steady presence of veteran Fan Bin.

In the 2005 Asian Championship, China won 93-49 against South Korea. The men's basketball team set the largest point differential in their head-to-head history in this tournament.

Then in the 2010 Asian Games, China won 77-71 against South Korea, with Wang Zhizhi's 12 gold medals. Big Zhi madeHa Seung-jincry, sending this "Asian number one center" to deliver newspapers...

After 2015, everyone is more familiar with the storyline.

The Changsha Asian Championship, a 20-point comeback, singing the national anthem...

But in that game, I was also deeply impressed by South Korea's shooting ability, especially the legendary guard Yang Dong-geun.

......

Fast forward to 2025, both teams can only reminisce about their glorious past.

Within Asia, they have lost their former dominance.

The Chinese men's basketball team has lost its height and physical advantages, while South Korean basketball has also lost its signature quick and agile style, and that iconic bank shot free throw seems to have diminished.

However, whenever these two teams meet, they still evoke many youthful memories for us, and the viewership will undoubtedly be high.

So, bring it on!