FIBA Asia - UAE hit back to win thriller against Kuwait

DOHA (Asian Games) - United Arab Emirates produced a stunning late fightback to beat Kuwait 80-72 in an entertaining tournament round Group D clash at the Asian Games.

Kuwait had established an eight point 60-52 lead at the end of the third quarter but UAE responded with a 28-12 burst in the last meaning victory over Kazakhstan on Friday will put them into the next round.

“We responded well to going behind. They are young and without experience and there is a lot of work to do but the talent is there,” UAE coach Zoran Zreckovic told www.doha-2006.com.

Kuwaiti forward Osamah Mubarek, who contributed 12 points and six rebounds, said: “The problem is we had only five days to train in our own country. We didn’t have a training camp and this was not enough. It is a new team and it will take time.”

Afghanistan produced a strong final quarter to edge out Hong Kong 65-57 to open their campaign in Group C with a win.

The teams had been locked at 50-50 heading into the last period but Afghanistan restricted their opponents to just seven points as Yosuof Etemadi and Nafi Mashriqi top-scored with 16 points each.

Forward Aleksandr Kozlov top-scored with 23 points as Uzbekistan were comfortable 102-66 winners over Mongolia in Group B.

Uzbekistan burst into a 35-15 first quarter lead and were always in control, establishing a 56-26 advantage at the interval before extending their dominance the rest of the way.

India forfeited their game against Bahrain in Group A.

By PA Sport