Subotic hails Bahrain’s defensive progress
Bahrain head coach Slobodan Subotic praised his players for embracing his defensive philosophy after the kingdom’s senior men’s team completed a perfect first round of pre-qualifying for the FIBA Asia Cup 2029.
The Bahrainis rounded off their Group A campaign with a 95-67 victory over Kuwait on Tuesday at Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Sports Hall in Dubai.
It was their fourth win from four games, following victories over Oman, the UAE and Nepal.
Subotic was appointed by the Bahrain Basketball Association in July, succeeding Georgios Vovoras. The veteran Greek-Slovenian tactician believes his players are already showing signs of adapting to what he has demanded from them.
“You know, I have been here for a month and a half with the team and we have had 23 or 24 practices together,” Subotic said after the game.
“I think my team showed something that I have been asking from them since day one, defence.
“Today, we played a very good team. Historically, Kuwait is a very good team, and they scored only 67 points.
“My players took this game very seriously, like all the games they have played since I joined the team, and this makes me happy because it shows they are professionals who like to meet targets and are on the same page with me.
“I hope we will continue like this.”
Bahrain took control after a competitive start and led 19-11 at the end of the first quarter. They stretched their advantage to 45-30 by half-time and remained firmly in command after the break.
Bahrain carried a 69-48 lead into the final period before sealing the 28-point triumph.
Ahmed Salman led the scoring with 21 points, including five three-pointers, while Mustafa Hussain and JaKarr Sampson added 20 apiece. Sampson also grabbed 16 rebounds, while Hussain contributed six assists.
The result capped an impressive campaign that began with a 106-62 rout of Oman. Bahrain then edged hosts UAE 83-80 before beating Nepal 105-71.
Hussain stressed that the unbeaten run was only the beginning of what the squad hope to achieve.
“Alhamdulillah, with our mindset, we actually don’t think too much about what we have achieved so far,” he said.
“This is only the first step. InshAllah, we are going to be in the Asia Cup.”
Bahrain will next compete in Group E of the second pre-qualifying round alongside the UAE, Kuwait, Palestine, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.
The stage will be played during the international window from November 23 to December 1, with the top four teams advancing to the Fiba Asia Cup 2029 qualifiers.
The UAE and Kuwait will be familiar opponents after progressing from the same opening-round group, while Bahrain will face Palestine, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka for the first time in this campaign.
Group F comprises Hong Kong China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia and Fiji, with its top four also moving on.
Before resuming their continental qualification campaign, Bahrain will turn their attention to the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where the basketball events will run from September 10 to 26.
The nationals have been drawn in Group C of the men’s 5x5 tournament alongside defending champions the Philippines, China and Kazakhstan.
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