Review Of The 2023 FIBA Women's Asian Cup Semifinals Indonesia Vs Thailand: Similar But Not The Same

Indonesian women's basketball team. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Women's Basketball National Team will face Thailand in the 2023 FIBA Asian Cup semifinals. This match will take place at Nimbutr Stadium Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, August 18.

Indonesian players are asked to apply the team's game in this match. It is believed that the individualist style will backfire against Thailand.

This has been proven when Indonesia met Thailand in the final of the Women Basketball League in Surabaya, October last year.

When meeting in the final, the Women's National Team defeated Thailand with a score of 51-49 in the first meeting, then lost 63-59 in the second match. However, at the third meeting which became the determination of the champion, Indonesia won 65-56.

"Against them, we must be able to play as a team like when in SWB (Women Basketball League), the Final in Surabaya. We don't just rely on one or two people," said the person in charge of the National Team, Christopher Tanuwidjaja, quoted from Antara.

Christopher said the match against Thailand was not the first time, but rather the smallest duel after previously the two teams met at the SEA Games and other events. At the 2023 Cambodian SEA Games, the Women's National Team defeated them with a thin score of 70-69.

"We already know this team and nothing has changed from them other than the existence of one young player of USA-Thai descent," Christopher said.

Christopher emphasized the importance of playing team-by-team because the current strength of the Women's national team is not the same as in the last SWBL final. Several players who contributed at that time and in the previous few matches had to be sidelined.

Call it Adelaide Wongsohardjo who had a broken hand, then Gabriel Sophia underwent ACL reconstruction. Furthermore, Peyeton Whitted did not participate because of FIBA regulations related to naturalized players.

"In this match, the Indonesian team will play without Adelaide Wongsohardjo, without Gabriel Sophia and without Layton. The three players helped our team in several meetings against Thailand before, over the past year," he said.

With that situation, Christopher asked the players to be more prepared at the meeting with Thailand. That readiness is more mental because Thailand plays in front of its own public.

"So what we have to prepare more is more about our mentality as a team, and the belief of each of us is with each other. We believe that with togetherness we can overcome every challenge," he said.