IR Iran produced a strong third-quarter display to upset
defending Asian Games champions Korea 89-75 and boost their own
quarterfinal hopes.
Korea led 40-38 at half time but some inspired basketball from
IR Iran in the third quarter put them in control. Crucial to the
turnaround was the outstanding defensive play of 21 year-old centre
Hamed Ehadadi who scored 17 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked
five shots.
Saman Veisi contributed 20 points as IR Iran prevailed due to a
mixture of sharp three-point shooting and efficient breakaway
offence.
Abbas Aghakoucheki, IR Iran's assistant coach, was buoyant. "We
watched the video of Korea's first match against Bahrain and
studied it carefully," he said. "In the first half we reviewed what
we learned and in the second half we attacked with full power."
Korea coach Choi Bu Yung meanwhile questioned his team's
attitude. "Our problem was that our players' spirit was not good.
Some players didn't try their best."
Both teams have now won one match and lost one in group A, with
unbeaten hosts Qatar topping the group.
Qatar cruised to a comprehensive 97-56 victory over Bahrain for
their second victory of the tournament, putting them in good shape
for a place in the last eight.
Captain Yasseen Ismail Musa led the way with 16 points while
Mohammed Saleem Abdulla was impressive in defence as he made 13
rebounds.
(dohaasiangames.org December 4, 2006)