Hu Mingxuan (C) of China breaks through during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China opened its Asian qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup with an 80-76 home loss to South Korea here on Friday.
China had beaten its archrival 79-71 in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals in August, but it was a different story at Beijing's Wukesong Arena this time.
Lee Hyun-jung made four 3-pointers as South Korea took a 24-16 lead after the first quarter. Powered by Zhou Qi and Hu Jinqiu, China held an edge inside, but the visitors maintained their outside touch to build a 47-34 halftime advantage.
China tried to rally in transition, but South Korea controlled the tempo and led 61-52 after three quarters. The hosts took the fourth quarter 24-19, yet South Korea managed the final minute to close out the win.
"It was not an individual game, but a team win. My teammates did a good job to guard Chinese talented players, set good screens for me, and find me for open shots. We also did well in rebounding and ball movement. We will concentrate on the next home game," said Lee, 25, who was on fire to score a game-high 33 points with nine three-pointers.
China's Zhang Zhenlin had a team-high 20 points, while Liao Sanning added 17 points and four assists.
"We were not tough enough in defense as what we did in Asia Cup. South Korean players got many opportunities for easy shots. We will make a review and prepare for the following games," Liao said.
China visits South Korea on Monday for its second group game.
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang said, "It's disappointed for us to swallow the painful loss at home. We lost execution and focus in the match. Our team failed to contain three-pointers and fast breaks of South Korea. We need to figure out the problems and adjust ourselves quickly."
Sixteen teams are divided into four groups for the Asian qualifiers. China is in Group B with Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei. The top three teams in each group advance to the second round. ■
Zhang Zhenlin (front) of China vies for the ball during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Lee Seounghyun (C) of South Korea talks to his teammates during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Basketball legends of China Wang Zhizhi, Gong Xiaobin, Jiang Xingquan, Kuang Lubin and Hu Weidong (from L to R) line up before the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
An Youngjun (R) of South Korea celebrates with his teammate Lee Junghyun during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Zhang Zhenlin (R) of China shoots the ball during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Zhou Qi (C) of China gestures during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Players of South Korea celebrate after the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Zhang Zhenlin (R) of China listens to his teammate Gao Shiyan during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Liao Sanning (C) of China shoots the ball during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Liao Sanning (R) of China shoots the ball during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Zhang Zhenlin (L) of China goes for a layup during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Zhou Qi (C) of China vies during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Hu Jinqiu (L) of China goes up for a dunk during the Group B match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
