China's hoopsters face final showdown with host
(Reuters)Updated: 2006-12-14 08:49
DOHA - China overcame some early defensive problems to beat Jordan 86-58 on Wednesday and set up a battle for Asian Games basketball gold against hosts Qatar in Friday's final.
 China's players celebrate after beating Jordan 86-58 in their men's semi-final basketball game at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 13, 2006. China advanced to the gold medal final on Friday. [Reuters] |
China, whose men ruled the Asian Games court from 1986 until they were beaten by South Korea in the 2002 final, overcame a 26-21 first-quarter deficit by outscoring the Jordanians 20-6 in the second for a 41-32 half-time lead.
Former Miami Heat center Wang Zhizhi top scored for the Asian champions with 20 points, while teenage Yi Jianlian, who hopes to follow Wang into the NBA, chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
"We didn't start well but we finished good," said China's Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauskas.
"It was difficult to defend at the beginning. I always get the idea that bad man-to-man defence doesn't help."
China are without their best player Yao Ming, who was allowed to remain with the Houston Rockets, and may have to do without guard Wang Shipeng in the final after he was carried off the court with a knee injury.
"It is bad that he got injured," said Kazlauskas. "I don't know how bad it is."
Qatar were also down in their semi-final against Iran before a 29-point third period blitz put them on course for their first Asian Games final and they survived a late wobble to win 67-64.
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