GOYANG (South Korea) – Chris Goulding nearly rewrote the record books once more as his hot shooting from deep brought Australia to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.

The veteran forward nailed 10 triples for 31 points to power the Boomers past Korea, 98-75, and go 4-0 in the Qualifiers, Sunday at the Goyang Gymnasium.

It seemed as if he was bound for another historic outing as the 36-year-old was two treys away from eclipsing the Continental Cup Qualifiers mark Ahmed Haji set (11) in Bahrain’s 76-71 win over Syria last Friday, until he was pulled out with 2:19 left to play.

But he had already done enough damage to the home team, and his part as well in ensuring that they take care of business – booking a flight to Saudi Arabia, that is, for next year in a bid to extend their dominion of the continental meet to three.

Australia have now become the third team to qualify for the Asia Cup after the hosts and Japan, who earlier did so following an 83-78 win over Guam in Mangilao.

“Really happy to get a win against a really tough team, in a really fun gym,” said Goulding, who finished this qualifying window with 19 threes in total.

The national team veteran scored 10 in the second quarter alone to lead the pullaway, highlighted by a rare four-point play off a Byeon Junhyeong foul that pushed their lead to 44-27 with 4:19 to go – that, after a 19-all deadlock entering the period.

Australia unloaded a total of 35 points in that said chapter while limiting the home team to only 13. The Koreans could never recover since, eventually falling to 2-2 in Group A as they also saw their mini two-game winning streak come to an end.

Ben Henshall made 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Nick Kay added a 13 points and 12 rebounds as they gave head coach Jacob Chance a victorious window.

Korea, on the other hand, were led by Lee Woosuk with 17 points and 5 rebounds as lead forward Lee Hyunjung was limited by the opposing defense.

Lee did finish with 14 points but missed all four of three-point attempts in a rare off-night from deep for him. He had 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, though.

The other game of Group A witnessed Thailand keep their mastery of Indonesia by way of a 112-71 rout, leaving the crowd that filled the Indonesia Arena silenced.

Freddie Lish was all over the place with a game-high 31 points on 7 treys, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal, while the imposing Martin Breunig delivered 24 points and 16 rebounds with 3 assists and 4 steals as the duo powered the first-half pummeling.

The two combined for 40 points to lead the Thais to a 58-42 lead at the break, setting the record for most first-half points by a team in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Soon, it would become a one-sided affair in favor of Coach Edu Torres and his charges, and they’d go on to collect their second win in four games.

Nakorn Jaisanuk went 5-of-10 from deep and finished with 16 points in the triumph that saw Thailand nail a total of 16 threes. Chanatip Jakrawan had his own double-double with 13 and 10, with Pongsakorn Jaimsawad adding 13 points as well.

Indonesia, meanwhile, were led by Abraham Grahita with 23 points. Brandon Jawato was his lone support with 16 points and 10 rebounds as they fell to 0-4.

FIBA