Day 4 in Bangkok would decide the placings for the semi-finals. Thailand had only to beat India to assure themselves of a fourth place and a shot at the play-offs. Taking no chances they pushed hard for the first quarter and with Mongkol Tunsaard’s 9 points leading the way they ran up a 21 point lead at the first break. Satisfied that the game was under control, Coach Mohammad then rotated his bench for the remainder of the game as they ran out comfortable winners 61-26 against India. Leading points scorers forThailand were Pongsakorn Sripirom (16 points), Teerapong Pasomsap (13 points) and Sirasak Reangwongam (11 points) while for India Venkatram reached double figures with 12 points. Download boxscore
It was a similar scneario for game 2, with Australia needing the win to secure third place in the group and a semi-final berth. Like Thailand in the earlier game, they came out hard against China and with Carminati continuing his good form from yesterday, with a 10 point quarter, the Australian’s had a 9 point buffer by the end of the first quarter. Coach Brennan also used his bench extensively from there on, and the Australians steadily increased their lead. In the final quarter the Chinese were noticably tired, failing to score in the period and allowing Australia to run away with the game, 68-28. Australia’s topscorers were Tom O’Neil-Thorne (18 points) and Jake Fullwood (15 points), Brian Carminati (15 points) as the main scorers, while for China Zhu Zhencong (13 points) and Tang Mengfan (10 points) were the main contributors. Download boxscore
The last game of the day between Iran and Japan would decide the final rankings for the semi-finals. Both coming into this final group stage game unbeaten, it promised to be a great showdown. Japan once again began with a strong press, and it was quickly evident that Iran were going to struggle against the defensive pressure. Takuya Furusawa found his three point range early on in the game opening with two and adding another two during the quarter assisting Japan to take an 11 point lead. Iran’s Mohammadhassan Sayari tried to keep Iran in the contest with 14 first half points but they still trailed by 17 points at the half time break. However a more determined Iran came out in the second half and managed to pull the deficit back to finish the game trailing by just 11 points, 67 -56. Japan will now go into the semi-finals stage as clear favourites to win the tournament. Japan had several players contributing double figures with Furusawa (19 points), Renshi Chokai (15 points) and Rin Kawahara (11 points) solid, while for Iran Sayari (28 points) and Motjaba Kamali (13 points) provided the bulk of their points. Download boxscore
Day 4 Scores:
- Thailand 61 – 26 India
- China 28 – 68 Australia
- Iran 56 – 67 Japan
Final Group stage standings
- Japan
- Iran
- Australia
- Thailand
- China
- India
Tomorrow’s match ups:
11.30am - 5th/6th Playoff - China v India
13.30pm - Semi-final 1 - Japan v Thailand
15.30pm - Semi-final 2 - Iran v Australia
