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Tribune News network
DOHA
Defending champions and 2015 world silver medallists Qatar booked place in the second round of the men's handball at the Asian Games after Iran outclassed Malaysia counterpart 55-11 in a Group B clash.
Qatar, who had pulverised Malaysia 64-11 in the opening clash, will face Iran to decide who tops the pool. A win or draw will help Qatar finish the pool on the top and advance to the knock-out stage.
Qatari hoopsters
beaten
Qatar put up spirited efforts before succumbing to pressure and suffering a 71-82 defeat in Pool C of men's basketball in the Asian Games on Thursday.
Tanguy Ngombo had a big haul of 36 points, including five three-pointers. He and Khalid Suliman Abdi, who had 12 points, provided an early flourish to Qatar as they raced away to 11-3 lead and made it 20-11 before finishing the first quarter at 23-17.
The 2014 bronze medallists Japan used the entire court to pressurise Qatar and got a narrow 39-37 lead at the interval. The two teams continued to follow each other hotly and with a little four minutes left, Qatar came within one point of drawing level (68-69).
But a personal foul Abdelrahman Abdehaleem after Keita Immamura stole the ball proved quite costly. The Japanese player went on to sink both free throws and it sent them on a 11-0 run to leave no chance for Qatar to stage any sort of comeback.
Takuya Hashimoto led the scoring for Japan with 22 points. Naoya Kumage and Keita Imamura adde 15 and 14, respectively. Avi Schafer also shone with eight points and seven rebounds.
With the victory, Japan, who had lost to Chinese Taipei, went to the top of the pool on better quotient, followed by Qatar. Both have one win in two matches, while Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong will now clash on August 20. If Qatar have to advance to the next stage, they will need a big win against Hong Kong on August 25 to improve their position compared to Japan.
Qatar outplayed in football
In a match of two former champions, 1994 winners Uzbekistan proved too strong for 2006 title holders Qatar, pulling off a one-sided 6-0 victory in the men's football at the Asian Games 2018 on Thursday.
The goal-rush began in the 37th minute and within 17 minutes, Uzbekistan stormed to a 5-0 advantage. Zabikhillo Urinboev struck the opening goal and soon before the interval, Ikromjon Alibaev increased it to 2-0.
After the resumption, Qatar were further rattled by the sharp Uzbek attacks and Dostonbek Khamdamov added the third one in the 47th minute. Another quick strike from Javokhir Sidikov inflated the scoreline further.
Barely five minutes had gone when Qatar were five goals down with Jaloliddin Masharipov netting the ball in the 54th minute.
Bobir Abdixolikov rounded out the scoring when he got a goal in the 74th minute.
