{
  "id": 6354820,
  "title": "Men's basketball team taking on Saudi Arabia to begin Asian Games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/mens-basketball-team-taking-on-saudi-arabia-to-begin-asian-games",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T00:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260909/mens-basketball-team-taking-on-saudi-arabia-to-begin-asian-games"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The men's basketball team will kick off its Asian Games tournament in Japan on Thursday, marking the first official action for Korea in the continental competition. The team is aiming for its first gold medal in 12 years, with head coach Nikolajs Mazurs leading the squad. Korea's opening match will be against Saudi Arabia in Group A, with the game scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya.\n\nThe first day of competition comes nine days before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, with preliminary games for team sports like basketball, football, and volleyball typically taking place in the days leading up to the opening ceremony. Following their match against Saudi Arabia, Korea will face Indonesia at 4 p.m. on Friday and the host country Japan at 7 p.m. on Sunday, all games held at the same Nagoya venue.\n\nThe Asian Games feature 12 nations divided into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group, as well as the two best third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals are set for the following Wednesday, followed by the semifinals on September 18. The bronze medal game and gold medal game are scheduled for September 20, the day after the opening ceremony.",
  "summary": "The men's basketball team will start its Asian Games tournament in Japan on Thursday, the first official action for Korea at the continental competition with the team pursuing its first gold in 12 years. Coached by Nikolajs Mazurs, Korea will play Saudi Arabia for its first Group A game of the men's hoops tournament of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The tipoff is 4 p.m. at Aichi International…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia draws red line: Will defend itself and its interests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/saudi-arabia-draws-red-line-will-defend-itself-and-its-interests",
        "published": "2026-09-08T13:11:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia vows to respond after Houthis attack cities and energy facilities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/saudi-arabia-vows-to-respond-after-houthis-attack-cities-and-energy",
        "published": "2026-09-08T13:58:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia vows to respond after Houthis attack cities and energy facilities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/saudi-arabia-vows-to-respond-after-houthis-attack-cities-and-energy-6331381",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:41:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Algeria condemns attacks on Saudi cities, voices full support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/algeria-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-cities-voices-full-support",
        "published": "2026-09-08T23:44:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Men's basketball team taking on Saudi Arabia to begin Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/mens-basketball-team-taking-on-saudi-arabia-to-begin-asian-games-6356670",
        "published": "2026-09-09T00:17:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Men's basketball team taking on Saudi Arabia to begin Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/mens-basketball-team-taking-on-saudi-arabia-to-begin-asian-games-6356496",
        "published": "2026-09-09T00:57:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Iran retaliates against Jordan and Saudi Arabia after U.S. destroys oil tankers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/iran-retaliates-against-jordan-and-saudi-arabia-after-u-s-destroys",
        "published": "2026-09-09T02:25:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}