Ahead Of The 2022 FIBA Asia Cup Determination, The Indonesian Basketball National Team Coach: We Have A Plan, We Have Our Own Way

Indonesian basketball national team. (Photo: @official_timnasbasket)

JAKARTA — The coach of the Indonesian basketball team, Milos Pejic, has prepared a plan against Australia in Group A of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup. He believes that the players will perform 100 percent to win the match later.

Indonesia will meet Australia in the final match at Istora Senayan on Saturday, July 16 tomorrow. On paper, Indonesia is not an opponent commensurate with Australia.

"There's no need to be too smart to compare Australia and Indonesia, but we have our plans. We have our own way," Pejic said after the match against Jordan in the second match, Thursday, July 14.

The defeat against Jordan meant that Indonesia's chances of qualifying as group winners were greatly reduced. However, the opportunity still exists if Pejic's men manage to win in the last match and hope Saudi Arabia wins over Jordan.

However, Australia is not a random team. They have so far bagged two wins and collected four points so that they are entitled to occupy the top position of the group.

"We don't want to think too much about the score, it's not realistic, yes. However, we will give 100 per cent in that game later," said the Serbian coach.

Despite losing against Jordan, the Red and White squad has been confirmed for the playoffs. The Red and White squad got the playoff ticket thanks to a big 80-54 win in the inaugural match against the Arabs.

Indonesia only needs to wait for the results of the match between Saudi Arabia and Jordan in the last match to ensure they qualify as the second or third ranked team.

The FIBA Asia Cup is the only path left for Indonesia to be able to appear in the 2023 FIBA World Cup after failing to pass the qualification. However, Indonesia must reach the quarter-finals of the FIBA Asia Cup to be able to play next year's World Cup.