FIBA Olympic Asia Qualifiers: India lose to Saudi Arabia to end 2024 Olympic hopes — Highlights
India lost their second consecutive match in the Asian Olympic qualifiers, thus being knocked out of contention for a spot in the next round of FIBA qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.
India stunned Syria in the opening match, beat Indonesia, but then narrowly lost to Kazakshtan before this trouncing from Saudi Arabia. With 2 wins and 2 losses, India cannot overtake top-placed Bahrain now. (BFI)
Basketball Olympic Qualifiers: India lost 75-92 to Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Olympic Asia Qualifiers on Wednesday to be knocked out of reckoning for a spot in the next round of qualifiers. India will play one last group match against Bahrain on Thursday.
India started their Olympic qualification campaign with stunning wins over Syria and Indonesia, but have since then lost two consecutive matches to Kazakhstan and now Saudi Arabia. Bahrain, India's last opponents, are the favourites to finish at top spot and qualify from the Asian zone.
As it happened:
India end up with a 2nd half lead, but the horrible first half means that the writing was always on the wall today. An 18-point loss for India which sends them tumbling out of reckoning for further progress.
Bahrain can seal qualification into the next round from the Asian zone if they win later tonight. India's last group match will be against Bahrain tomorrow.
Saudi Arabia pull away in Q4. The lead swells to 25 for the first time in the match.
Sandhu sets up Sekhon as India score a brilliant point. Sekhon punches the air in celebration. This is too little too late, but India would want to walk away with pride from this encounter.
India overshadow Saudi Arabia in Q3 to have a 20-18 lead. Q4 also starts with some great play for the underdogs, Sekhon and Prince combine for a great move, but they cannot convert.
A minute later, Prince and Muthu combine for a move, but again, both fail to score.
IND 50-73 KSA
Pranav Prince comes up from nowhere to score a triple-pointer! Muthu Krishnan then strikes back! India reduce the lead. Saudi still with a huge lead, but India showing signs of a fightback.
IND 50-67 KSA
India start the second half with a bang. A few quick points reduces the deficit. Abdel Gabar then strikes back again. He's been the nemesis for India today, and he scores KSA's 6th point of the half. Scores for the half again back to level at 6 points each.
A 22-point deficit to make up in the 2nd half. How did the Saudis pull away to here from 6-point each?
The deficit increases to 20! Indian players have their hands on their heads as the Olympic dream seems to be slipping away.
The lead keeps building! Annadurai making his presence felt but Saudi Arabia are unstoppable at the other end. Prince yet to make his mark even though he is being very active.
India's spirit now looks broken as the lead stretches to 19 with 4 minutes gone in Q2.
Saudi Arabia have blown India to bits in Quarter 1. Scores were at 6-6 at one point before KSA went on a 13-point streak. But towards the end of Q1, Muthu Krishnan shows some brilliant signs.
Muthu Krishnan makes a slippery run and scores a field goal. Signs that India could yet come up with something special.
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