The South Korean men's national basketball team has clinched a coveted spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 with a nail-biting win against Thailand.

In a thrilling encounter held at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on February 20th, the Korean squad, under the guidance of coach An Jun-ho, managed to edge out the home team with a single point separating the two sides, ultimately securing a 91-90 victory. 1    

This hard-fought win marks Korea Republic's third triumph in five Group A matches, positioning them second in the group standings with eight points. This guarantees their participation in the prestigious tournament, set to take place in Saudi Arabia this coming August, regardless of the outcome of their final group stage game against Indonesia.

The game saw Korea leading by ten points at halftime, but Thailand's resilience shone through in the third quarter when they managed to turn the tables and briefly take the lead. However, Korea managed to regain control, setting the stage for a tense finale.

The decisive moment came in the dying seconds of the game when Thailand had an opportunity to tie the score from the free-throw line. However, both attempts missed the target, handing Korea Republic a narrow but crucial victory.

Key players for Korea included Ha Yun-ki, who contributed 19 points and 7 rebounds, and An Young-jun, who added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Despite the loss, Thailand showcased a spirited performance, with Muangboon scoring 22 points, including six three-pointers, and Martin Breunig, a naturalized player with experience in the German youth national team, recording a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

This victory not only secures Korea Republic's place in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 but also serves as a testament to the team's determination and resilience in the face of tough competition.