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Stunning Afghani victory over Hong Kong in opening round of the Asian Games - Nov. 24, 2006
| | by Garo Salibian | Asian Games Qualifying Round: Game 1: Afghanistan 65-57 Hong Kong
(Q1: 19-14 Q2: 34-33 Q3: 50-50 Q4: 65-57) Wihin the preliminary rounds for qualifications to the Asian Games Basketball Tournament, being held at the Basketball Indoor Hall at Sport City in Doha, an Afghani selection coached by Zabi Subat and made up of players of Afghani origin from the United States with captain Yousof Etemadi has won a signficant game 65-57 against Hong Kong team in the opening day in Group C qualifyinmg games that includes Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Syria. One team will qualify from this group to the next round that will resume November 30.
The Afghanis started with a 9-0 lead. They continued their lead throughout first quarter to end it their favour 19-14 with key scoring from Bilal Azzi. By the second quarter Hong Kong had regained momentum with Lee Kiu Fung putting his team ahead 25-22 and contributing 13 points to the tally. But the stunning three-pointer by Abdullah Karimi, sent the Afghan team to lead again 34-33 at half-time.
A feverish third quarter saw a huge game and at one point a 12-2 Hong Kong run, but both teams tied 50-50 at the buzzer. The Afghanis with their physical power and strong defence prevailed in quarter 4 confining Hong Kong to scoring just 7 points as the Afghani onslaught of 15 impressive points gave them a deserved win 65-57. Team captan Yosouf Etemadi scored 16 in a majour performance. Nafi Mashriqi added another 16. .Coach Zabi Subat said to Asian Games reporter on court: “It is a big thing for us, it is the first time after a long time that we have had a basketball team. We are very excited, the kids are very good, and have a bright future. As a first time it is a privilege to be here and we are proud of that. The Afghan players were ecstatic and celebrated their victory over Hong Kong (China) with an emotional lap of honour round the court with their national flag. Afghanistan's selection has to confront Syria next. Game is scheduled Nov.24.
Afghanistan head coach: Zabi Subat
Afghanistan roster (in alphabetical order): Ali Amiri, Iwal Obaidullah Arghand, Sulaiman Aziz, Bilal Azizi, Yosouf Etemadi (captain), Habib Kabir, Khalid Kamal, Abdullah Karimi, Nafi Mashriqi, Farhad Nangialai, Mohammad Abdullah Roshan, Omar Secandary. NBAA NEWS DESK @ COPYRIGHT 2007
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Stunning Afghani victory over Hong Kong in opening round of the Asian Games |
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Proud Afghans make emotional return |
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Afghanistan loses its bid to qualify after 84-69 loss to Syria |
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Afghan National Basketball Team international Debut in Chantilly, Virginia |
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Nov. 24, 2006 |
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Nov. 25, 2006 |
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Nov. 26, 2006 |
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Sept 1st 2006 |
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Wihin the preliminary rounds for qualifications to the Asian Games Basketball Tournament, being held at the Basketball Indoor Hall at Sport City in Doha, an Afghani selection coached by Zabi Subat and made up of players of Afghani origin from the United States with captain Yousof Etemadi has won a signficant game 65-57 against Hong Kong.
Read More |
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The smiles on the faces of Afghanistan's basketball players said it all as they paraded their national flag during a lap of honour following a victorious return to international competition.
Read More |
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The euphoria of the Afghani victory against Hong Kong (China) with a significant 8-point win 65-57 didn't last for 24 hours, as the Afghanistani team, made up entirely of Afghani expatriate players from the United States playing in ethnic Afghani-American basketball leagues could not stand against the formidable strength of a Syrian national basketball team. Read More |
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The Afghan National Team made its international debut in Chantilly, Virginia at Hoops Magic Basketball Academy. The ANT was introduced to the crowd of 1500 Afghan American spectators on hand. The Afghan National Team was formed by Naser Shahalemi after much discussions and negotiations with the ANABF and the ANOC/Olympic Committee in July 2006. Read More |
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