Asiad Basketball History Beckons Bahrain

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s basketball team will attempt to extend their historic Asian Games campaign when they contest the quarter-finals against Iran this morning.

The game tips off at 7am, Bahrain time, at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan.

Greek-Slovenian coach Slobodan Subotic will lead the kingdom into the encounter, with the winners advancing to the last four.

The nationals reached the last eight for the first time after finishing second in Group C with two victories from three games.

An impressive 89-85 win over defending champions the Philippines provided the perfect start. JaKarr Sampson scored 24 points, while Mustafa Hussain and Elijah Thomas added 20 apiece.

A heavy 105-59 defeat to unbeaten group winners China followed, leaving Subotic’s side needing a victory in their final preliminary-round assignment to advance.

A 101-78 triumph over Kazakhstan secured progression, with the Bahrainis taking control in the opening quarter before pulling further clear after the interval.

Sampson led the scoring with 23 points and also collected nine rebounds and six assists. Hussain contributed 20 points and eight assists, Thomas finished with 16 and Ahmed Salman added 14.

That victory extended what is already the country’s best campaign across six appearances in the competition.

The Iranians present a formidable challenge after topping Group B on their head-to-head record against Chinese Taipei. Greek tactician Sotiris Manolopoulos is at the helm.

Team Melli recovered from a surprise 59-53 defeat to Qatar by edging Chinese Taipei 72-69. An 81-68 victory over Jordan then secured first place.

Veteran shooting guard Mohammad Jamshidi poses their main attacking threat. He scored 18 points against Chinese Taipei before producing 30 points and four assists in the win over Jordan.

For the Reds, much of the scoring burden will again fall on Sampson, Hussain and Thomas. Captain Ahmed Al Derazi, Ahmed Salman, Ahmed Bindayneh, Mohammed Buallay and Uros Ilic are also expected to play important roles.

Victory would secure a maiden Asian Games semi-final appearance and guarantee them a place in at least the bronze-medal game.

The semi-finals take place on Friday, followed by the bronze and gold-medal games on Sunday.

Elsewhere in today’s quarter-finals, Jordan meet South Korea at 4am and China face Saudi Arabia at 10am. Chinese Taipei take on hosts Japan at 1.20pm. All times are Bahrain.