Basketball-Qatar advances, S. Korea scared

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-06 11:15

Defending champion South Korea was scared by lowly Syria before claiming its second win in three games 93-85.

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Trailing most of the way in the Group A clash, Syria overtook the lead 72-71 early in the fourth quarter through a basket by Michael Madanly and held it to 78-76, but South Korea answered with an 8-0 run to regain the advantage at 84-78 three minutes and 26 seconds from the end.

After Yang Dong-geun stole the ball for a layup to make it 90- 80, Kim Joo-sung added one free throw with one minute left to seal the victory for South Korea, who was upset by Iran 89-75 on Sunday.

Despite the victory, South Korea Choi Bu-yung was unhappy.

"It was a shame," Choi said. "We lost to Iran in the last game and did not play well neither in this game."

"We just managed to display 40 percent of our ability," Choi added. "We still have big problems in defense."

Madanly made great trouble for South Korea to finish with 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists, but his effort turned out to be in vain as Syria suffered its third game in three tries.

Kim led South Korea with 20 points, Song Young-jin and Yang added 16 and 14 respectively. Former NBA player Ha Seung-jin had seven points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes.

"Ha did not play much in the second half because we were trying to play box and one defense to stop Madanly," Choi said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran took advantage of a strong performance in the second half to trounce Bahrain 112-77.

South Korea, Iran and Jordan were all on a 2-1 record after three games while Syria and Bahrain have yet to find a win.

In the women's category, Chinese Taipei beat South Korea 80-73 for in the opening match of preliminary Group B.

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