Saudi Arabia claim exciting win to crash Indonesia's homecoming
JAKARTA (Indonesia) - Indonesia fought valiantly but Saudi Arabia rallied in the second half to avoid the upset axe in Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers at Istora Senayan.
JAKARTA (Indonesia) - Indonesia fought valiantly but Saudi Arabia rallied in the second half to avoid the upset axe in Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
Down by as many as 13 points in the middle of the third quarter, Saudi Arabia went on a 16-2 scoring spree to wrest the lead from the hosts, 49-48, heading into the fourth period.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the final ten minutes of the game, though the Saudis proved more composed in the endgame and won, 69-67.
Indonesia even led, 56-49, with 7:36 to go in the game, but the Saudis just made more crucial plays on both ends of the floor the rest of the way. Saudi Arabia outscored Indonesia, 18-5, in the next six minutes to permanently wrest control.
Tremendous fightback from 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, who surged back from 13 down and held on in the clutch to stun Indonesia on the road!
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) July 1, 2022
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➡️ https://t.co/EZ6XZQ1Q9f#FIBAWC | #WinForSaudiArabia | @sbfksa pic.twitter.com/EjauHkf3Mn
This loss will sting for Indonesia, who were hoping to win their first game back home in a long while. The last time Timnas Basket played in front of their own home fans was way back in February 2020 against Korea and the Philippines during the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 Qualifiers.
Musab Kadi came up huge for Saudi Arabia in this game. He scored 16 points, including hitting two crucial three-pointers in the fourth that seemed to turn the tide in his team's favor permanently. The 22-year-old forward also had 4 blocks and 3 rebounds.
Marzouq Almuwallad top-scored for the victors with 18 points, while Mathna Almarwani added 16 on top of 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
As for the hosts, Vincent Kosasih played maybe his best game for Indonesia yet, putting up 15 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks. Brandon Jawato also impressed with 10 points and 14 rebounds in the defeat.
Saudi Arabia stayed at idle third spot in Group C, while Indonesia absorbed their fourth loss in as many games and remain in fourth place.
Indonesia take a 2-day break before hosting Jordan on 4 July, while Saudi Arabia will travel to Zouk Mikael to play Lebanon also on the same day.
Indonesia will have a chance at payback, however, when they meet again at the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 later this year, grouped together in Group A.
FIBA