Jordan's Youth Team Arrested Toroman, Toroman: Lack Of Experience Playing Against Big Man Players

Head coach of the Indonesian national basketball team Rajko Toroman (center) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The head coach of the Indonesian men's basketball team, Rajko Toroman, is still relying on Marques Bolden to make changes to the Red and White team in the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, 12-17 July.

After losing to Saudi Arabia in last Friday's match, Indonesia again lost 52-77 to Jordan in the last match of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone at Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Monday night.

Toroman said the absence of Marques Bolden was one of the causes of the defeat. He considered that if Bolden played, Indonesia could be better in terms of scoring points under the ring and shooting from outside the arc.

The Serbian coach said Bolden was not played because of a problem with his back. But he believes the naturalized player from the United States can defend Indonesia and bring changes to the national team's game in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup.

"This is not easy because our young players still lack experience playing against big man players. But we hope that Marques (Bolden) can change our game, especially for the game under the ring," Toroman said as quoted by Antara.

“Marques is a player who can really play in the paint area as well as outside. He's also a good rebounder," he added.

In the match against Jordan, Indonesia could not do much in the opponent's paint area. Merah Putih was only able to score 10 points from the paint area, while Jordan won 36 points.

Indonesia is also still losing in the rebound aspect. Brandon Jawato and his friends only made 36 rebounds compared to Jordan's 56.

The shooting accuracy of Indonesian players is also poor with a field goal percentage of only 23 percent. In addition, from 37 attempts at three-pointers, only 9 of them managed to produce points.

Indonesia will start the preliminary phase of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup Group A against Saudi Arabia on July 12, before meeting again with Jordan on July 14.

Indonesia will next face defending champions Australia on 16 July.

Indonesia must finish in the top eight of the 16 teams participating in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in order to secure a place in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.