Failing to find timely baskets while giving away easy attempts to their higher ranked opponents cost India dearly as hosts
Kazakhstan
recorded a 13-point (63-50) win in their tournament opener of the FIBA
Asia Cup
2025 qualifiers at
Astana
on Friday.
Though the 81st ranked Indian cagers had a positive start, a four-minute dry spell after the change of ends gave world no.
68 Kazakhstan the momentum. After taking their biggest 14-point lead in the 26th minute of play, the home team maintained that advantage for a 13-point victory.
With four youngsters starting the game, India pressed the ball from the front court which took Kazakhstan by surprise. India's strategy of full court press paid dividends as the boys in blue pocketed the first quarter 16-13. Kazakhstan fought back to clinch the second period 18-10 and took a handy (31-26) five-point lead at the lemon break.
Though India brought parity with ferocious play in the initial two minutes after the change of ends, a strategic break for Kazakhstan in the 22nd minute changed the momentum in their favour. Kazakhstan's change of strategy, utilizing small passes with the pick and roll play with timely three-point conversion, put India in a spot of bother. With the home team taking their biggest 14-point lead in the game while the visitors scored just one basket in eight minutes, Kazakhstan stretched the lead (44-33) at the end of third period.
Though India tried some tricks in the high-scoring fourth quarter, Kazakhstan won the same 19-17 to record a 13-point win.
With six three-pointers Rustam Murzagaliyev (18) top scored for Kazakhstan. Young Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan (17) fought a lone battle for India.
Though the battle of the boards was almost at par, both the teams had equal steals and assists, India's low conversion from behind the arc made all the difference. Of the 23 three-pointers that India took they were able to convert just four as compared to the 37% conversion from Kazakhstan.
In a chat with TOI, India's Serbian coach Vesellin Matic said, "We missed competitive experience and some mistakes happened in the defence which in the end became crucial as we lost a fighting game. We are a young team, and we have to learn from our mistakes. When we brought the scores par, we committed small mistakes and that cost us the game against an experienced team."
RESULT: Kazakhstan (Rustam Murzagaliyev 18) bt India (Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan 17, Palpreet Singh Brar 9,
Amritpal Singh
7) 63-50 (13-16, 18-10, 13-7, 19-17)
English (US) ·