Review -November 15,2010

AFGHANISTAN 76:83 INDIA
In a rematch from the gold-medal game at the SAF Games earlier this year won by Afghanistan, this game had been the hardest to predict. Afghanistan, a team made up of mostly American-based players with Afghan heritage, and India, a team with a new coach and many practices together, battled it out right to the end. Afghanistan led by as much as 12 in the first half and 8 in the third quart but India went on a 10-0 spanning the 3rd and 4th quarters to turn a 5 point deficit to a five point lead and they never trailed in the 4th quarter. Both teams used short benches. 6 man rotation basically for India (7th player played only 49 seconds) while Afghanistan (7 man rotation).
Leading the way for India was G Jagdeep Singh with a team-high 22 points, team-high 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and the teams lone block in 35 minutes of play. Supporting him was SF Trideep Rai with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and a game-high 5 assists. Also playing well were G Hareesh Koroth (17 points with a team high 3 three-pointers) and C Yadwinder Singh (15 points and 5 rebounds).
In the losing effort, Mohammad Mojaddidi led 4 players in double figures by posting a game-high 25 points on 8-19 shooting (7-13 on three-pointers), 3 rebounds, a game-high 5 assists and 1 steal. G Ali Sajad Noorzad scored 15 points, connectin on 3 threes, ad grabbed 4 rebounds. Off the bench, F Haroun Arefi had 12 points and 6 rebounds while starting F Yousof Etemadi had 10 points and 5 assists. Starting C and captian Nafi Mashriqi grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and had 5 points.
In a highly competitive match, there were a few things helped India pull this game out. A 22-12 edge at the free-throw line helped. From the line, India shot 73% while Afghaistan was just 50%. Field goal percentage was also key as India was 48% while Afghanistan was a mediocre 39%. Lastly, there is points in the paint. A 34-28 advantage was held by the Indians. While the Afghans were hitting threes, ultimately you have to go inside not only to score but also to get to the free throw line. The starters of India had scored 81 of 83 points, showing that their starting five is talented and can get the job done.
With the win, India advances to Group B and plays Qatar tomorrow at 7:15 inside the Huangpu Gymnasium. Afghanistan unfortuantely goes home, but they should be encouraged and definately should enter more tournaments.
My AFG player of the game: Mohammad Mojaddidi
My IND player of the game: Jagdeep Singh