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The first game of the day saw Iran (4) taking on Malaysia. Malaysia were no match against a strong Iranian team and Iran went on to win comfortably 55-11 (29-5 at half time).
Barbat Salaman (IRN) top scored with 11 goals. Iran had an astonishing shot efficiency of 82% converting 55 of the 67 opportunities they had. They had also scored 23 fast break goals.
The second game got underway between Japan (9) and Pakistan. Japan sailed through Pakistan defeating them 38-15 (20-7 at the interval).
Shida Hiroki scored 7 and Kadoyama Tetsuya scored 6 goals for Japan. For Pakistan Muzamal Hussain Muzamal scored 5 goals.
Japan had 76% shot efficiency having converted 38 of their 50 attempts at goals. Apart from it, they had 7 breakthrough goals and 9 fast break goals to add to their kitty.
The third match up was between Saudi Arabia (7) and Hong Kong ended with the Saudi team comfortably getting past Hong Kong with a scoreline reading 42-24 (21-12 at halftime).
Saeed Abdulazeez and Alsalem Mojtaba of Saudi top scored for their team with 5 points each. Ip Shi Yan (HKG) scored 6 points while Tse Wing Fai (HKG) scored 5 points.
Saudi Arabia had an overall shot conversion of 75% converting 42 of their 56 attempts which also included 14 fast break goals and 6 goals from the 9 meter line.
The fourth match of the day saw Chinese Taipei (8) playing against Iraq. Iraq provided the upset of the day by winning 37-30 (17-14 at the break). The physical prowess of the Iraqian team overcame their speedy rivals.
Abdlkan Ali Adnan Chyad of Iraq scored 10 goals today and Chao Hsienchang of Taipei scored 8 goals.
Iraq converted 37/47 attempts on target to finish with 79% shot efficiency.
The final match of the day saw Bahrain (3) taking on India. Bahrain enjoyed 7 fast break goals and ran away to an 18-11 scoreline at the interval. India played well in patches but eventually lost to the experienced Bahrain team 32-25.
Ahmed Mohamed (BAH) scored 6 goals, Ahlawat Deepak from India scored 6 goals. Though India had 3 fast break goals, Bahrain had 9 to their credit.
India next plays Iraq, which would decide if we finish in the top 8 or not. The Indian team is bound to improve if they are exposed to more tournaments abroad. Also, the Indian team was missing a Physiotherapist, when one of the players got injured and the coach had to rush towards his aid before the medical representatives got to him. It is high time that the Sports Ministry and IOA ensure they send qualified support staffs with all the sports teams to ensure that the athletes are taken care of properly.
