KUW / QAT – Saqer Hasan shoots Kuwait past Qatar

KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup): Saqar Hasen shot an impressive seven three-pointers in his game-high 23 points to lead hosts Kuwait to an 88-70 win over fellow Gulf rivals Qatar in the second FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup on Friday.

Hasen, who won the MVP for the game, received splendid support from his Al Qadsia clubmate Abdullah Alsarraf.

Alsarraf scored 22 points, including four from behind the arc, as Kuwait raced away to their second win in the tournament.

Kuwait had beaten India on the opening day.

For Qatar, who lost to Kazakhstan on Thursday, the defeat meant a virtual shut-out of their hopes to win the tournament.

Kuwait take on Kazakhstan, after Qatar play Jordan, on Saturday.

Qatar, who lost to Kuwait by two points in the King Abdullah tournament in July, seemed determined to avenge that defeat in the initial stages of the game.

Erfan Saeed who scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half, looked in form as Qatar held a 11-5 lead midway through the first quarter.

It was at this juncture that Kuwait began to unleash their scoring spree.

Hasan sunk three three-pointers in a row to help Kuwait take a 25-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Ahmad Albrahim came into his own with eight points, including two long rangers as Hasan continued to torment the Qataris with his shooting.

Having taken a 48-40 lead going into the changing rooms, Kuwait built a massive 60-42 lead with about five minutes left in the third quarter, as Alsarraf began to fire in.

The hosts thence held on to their advantage.

“I have to confess this result is totally unexpected,” Hasan said.

“To beat a team like Qatar by such a big margin and that too in front of your own club crowd is really exciting,” the point guard added.

Kuwait coach Zoran Kreckovic expressed satisfaction with the way things worked out.

“Yes, it’s exciting to get such a result against Qatar. But I’m more satisfied with the way the boys played,” he said.

“Any defeat, no matter by what margin, hurts,” Qatar coach Kent Davison said.

“We knew they were going to attack us with their shooting. And they were brilliant tonight,” the American added.

“Well, playing hard has been the greatest asset of my team. I’m not sure if we played hard enough tonight,” he said.

Scores

Kuwait 88 (Saqar Hasen 23, Abdullah Alsarraf 22, Ahmad Albrahim 16) bt Qatar 70 (Erfan Saeed 19, Ali Ali 19). Quarterwise Scores: 25-21, 48-40, 72-54.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia