Korean Delegation's First Match Today... 'Ultimate Duo' to Take the Court!

[Anchor]

Official competition schedules kick off today, September 10, exactly nine days ahead of the opening of the Nagoya Asian Games next Saturday. The men's basketball national team, set to play the South Korean delegation's opening match, aims for a victory against Saudi Arabia, spearheaded by their "ultimate duo" of Lee Hyun-jung and Yeo Jun-seok.

Here is reporter Ha Seong-nyong.

[Reporter]

After struggling to find cohesion following head coach Mazurs' appointment, the national team rebounded with a three-game winning streak and arrived in Nagoya three days ago.

Despite the twist and turn of yesterday's final training session being canceled due to heavy local rain, the players are brimming with confidence.

When the national team faced today's opening opponent Saudi Arabia in the World Cup qualifiers last week, they secured a resounding victory, maintaining their undefeated all-time record of seven wins, fueled by ace Lee Hyun-jung—who posted 25 points and 10 rebounds—and Yeo Jun-seok, who poured in 18 points.

To neutralize 208-centimeter tall center Alsuwailem, who scored 31 points back then, the team also tested custom tactics during a friendly match against the Philippines.

The shooting touch of shooters like Lee Jeong-hyeon and Yu Gi-sang has also revived, diversifying the team's offensive routes.

To wash away the humiliation of plunging to 7th place—the lowest ranking ever—at the Hangzhou Games three years ago and to reach the top for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Games, the players vow to give their all starting from the very first match.

[Lee Hyun-jung / Men's Basketball National Team Forward: I will always pour out 100%, 150% of myself, and I am unconditionally ready to throw my body on the line.]

In the tournament's first South Korea-Japan showdown on the 13th, former star Jeon Tae-poong will step up as an SBS commentator to share in the passion of his juniors.

[Jeon Tae-poong / Nagoya Asian Games Basketball SBS Commentator: I truly, genuinely believe we can win gold. I have a good feeling about it.]

(Photo & Video: Yoo Dong-hyuk, Yang Doo-won | Video Editing: Hwang Ji-young | Design: Park Hye-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.