The middle eastern champion Qatar made a comeback and defeated Japan in their Group B opening match at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, August 1, 2013, the game ended with a crucial 75-74 win for Qatar.
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Qatar’s naturalized player, the former Washington Wizards first round pick scored with 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter after going without a field goal in the first half. The leadership of Hayes allowed Qatar from a 39-29 deficit in the second quarter.
Japan was leading and Qatar was still trailing, 61-53, at the end of the third quater before opeing the final period with a 12-2 run to take the lead. Hayes made a layup and gave Qatar a 74-70 cushion with just a minute left. Split free throws allowed Japan to cut the deficit to three points, but Hayes made one of two charity shots to push the Qatar lead back to four points.
The last shot came from Japanese when one of its player hit a three-pointer in the final second to settle the final score at 75-74 still in favor of the Qataris. Veteran Qatari player Y(–foul word(s) removed–)een Musa scored with 12 points, 15 rebounds and 4 (–foul word(s) removed–)ist. The Japanese sharpshooter Kosuke Kanamaru sizzled for 27 points in Japan’s losing cause.
Photo Credit: FIBA Asia/Nuki Sabio