What did Japan coach Tom Horvath think of “An Joon-ho” South Korea.
The South Korean men’s basketball team, led by head coach Ahn Joon-ho, won 84-69 in the second warm-up match against Japan in the FIBA Jeddah Asia Cup 2025 at Jeonggwanjang Arena in Anyang on the 13th.
South Korea won both consecutive games against Japan. They have exchanged one win and one loss in the warm-up matches between Korea and Japan, but this time they have won two consecutive games for the first time.
사진 확대 What did Japan coach Tom Horvath think of “An Joon-ho” South Korea. Photo = Courtesy of the Korea Basketball Association
Even for Horvath, the second consecutive loss was quite a disappointing result. Of course, Japan is mostly made up of young and inexperienced players, including Josh Hawkinson. In fact, it was impossible to beat the Republic of Korea, which was joined by Lee Hyun-joong and Yeo Jun-seok, with a history that was difficult to consider as a second-tier team.
Horvath said, “It’s too bad. I missed a lot of open chances. The reason for losing by a large margin was that the shooters were disappointed. It seems that the lineup needs to be adjusted, he said. “South Korea’s defense was so good. Our young players did a good job, but it’s a shame. His performance in the fourth quarter was good. I will prepare more and play the Asian Cup well.”
“South Korea’s shooting was good, but we weren’t good,” Hawkinson said. The transition didn’t go well because of the strong pressure defense. There was a reminder in the fourth quarter. We will supplement this well,” he said.
Even without Rui Hachimura, it was regrettable that most of Japan’s core power was missing. For South Korea, it is a warm-up match, so it is very helpful to compete with a stronger opponent. Of course, there was a reason why Japan was young and young under the second division.
사진 확대 Horvath said, “It’s too bad. I missed a lot of open chances. The reason for losing by a large margin was that the shooters were disappointed. It seems that the lineup needs to be adjusted, he said. “South Korea’s defense was so good. Our young players did a good job, but it’s a shame. His performance in the fourth quarter was good. I will prepare more and play the Asian Cup well.” Photo = Courtesy of the Korea Basketball Association
Coach Horvath said, “(Kawamura) Yuki seems to want Chicago to stay, so we have to wait and see. (Watanabe) Utah is not 100% injured. (Togashi) Yuki is willing to play, so he has to go back to Japan and have a conversation. (Hiejima) Makoto said, “I need to take a break from the B.League and BCL schedules.”
In addition, Tominaga is Japan, where Keisei Kei, Yudai Baba and Hirotaka Yoshii did not participate.
Then, what was the Republic of Korea like from Horvath’s perspective. He said, “The reason why it is difficult to face South Korea is because the players know how to do it. It’s been a while since we’ve worked together, so each other’s chemistry seems to be good. He responded well no matter what defense he played. Lee Hyun-joong was the most impressive,” he said. “Korea is getting better and better. We move so that all players can be threatening and score points,” he said.
Meanwhile, Japan will compete with Iran, Syria and Guam in this Asian Cup. Horvath said, “We’re keeping up with the recent basketball trend. They will face Iran, Syria and Guam in the Asia Cup. Three years ago, he lost to Iran in this tournament and finished second. Our goal is to be No. 1 in the group,” he said.
[Anyang = MK Sports Reporter]