Cagers face must-win Kazakhstan test

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain's senior men's basketball team face Kazakhstan in their final Group C encounter at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, this morning.

Slobodan Subotic's side tip off at 4am, Bahrain time, at Aichi International Arena knowing they must win to remain in contention for a place in the quarter-finals.

The nationals opened their campaign with an impressive 89-85 victory over defending champions the Philippines before suffering a heavy 105-59 defeat to China.

JaKarr Sampson led Bahrain with 17 points against the Chinese, while Elijah Thomas added 10.

Kazakhstan remain winless after losing 99-61 to China in their opener and 109-78 to the Philippines in their second assignment.

China lead the group with two victories, while Bahrain and the Philippines have one apiece. Kazakhstan sit bottom following successive defeats.

A Bahrain win, followed by a Chinese victory over the Philippines at 1pm, Bahrain time, would secure second place for Subotic's men. Victory for the Filipinos would produce a three-way tie, with the group's final order then decided by the competition's tiebreak criteria.

The top two teams from each of the three pools and the two best third-placed sides will advance to Wednesday's quarter-finals. The semi-finals take place on Friday before the bronze and gold medal games on Sunday.

Elsewhere yesterday, Iran beat Jordan 81-58 and Chinese Taipei defeated Qatar 91-69 in Group B. Saudi Arabia overcame Indonesia 100-89 in Group A, while South Korea recorded a 100-83 victory over hosts Japan.