What The Coach Says About Indonesia's Defeat From Saudi Arabia In FIBA World Cup Qualification: Only 5 Days Of Preparation

Indonesian national basketball team (INSTAGRAM @official_timnasbasket)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national basketball team suffered a crushing defeat to Saudi Arabia with a score of 66-95 in the second window match of the FIBA 2023 World Cup Qualification Group C Asia zone which took place at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Friday morning. Coach Rajko Toroman said his team's preparation was less than ideal because it only took five days to prepare.

The defeat was the third time for Indonesia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers after previously failing to win from two matches against Lebanon in the first window, November last year.

Quoted from Antara, assists, and rebounds are two differentiating aspects in Indonesia's defeat this time. Rajko Toroman's team was only able to register 9 assists, compared to 24 recorded by Saudi Arabia, according to the official FIBA record.

Meanwhile, from the rebound aspect, the Garuda squad was only able to record 34 compared to the 47 scored by the Royal State team.

Naturalized player Lester Prosper became the top scorer for the Indonesian national team in this match with 18 points and 5 rebounds, followed by 14 points from Brandon Jawato, 11 points from Abraham Damar Grahita, and 10 points from Andakara Prastawa.

In the stronghold of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Alsuwailem recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, Mathna Almarwani 16 points, and Nassir Abo Jalas 13 points.

The coach of the Indonesian basketball team, Rajko Toroman, admitted that his team had a hard time facing the match against Saudi Arabia this time.

"Jawato and Prosper haven't played for five months... We're in a less-than-ideal situation. We only have five days to prepare, so it's difficult for us to compete at the highest level of basketball," said the man who is familiarly called Coach Toro in a virtual press conference after the match.

The same thing was conveyed by Andakara Prastawa who considered that Saudi Arabia performed better so it deserved to win the match.

"We couldn't stop the transition and defensive rebound. Saudi Arabia deserved to win and this is a lesson for the next game against Jordan," said Prastawa.

With these results, Indonesia is sinking further as the bottom of Group C with no win, while Lebanon is leading with two wins, followed by Saudi Arabia in third and Jordan in fourth.

Indonesia will next face Jordan on Sunday (27/2).