Iraq aim for a top-eight finish

JAKARTA (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship) - For Iraq coach Aqeel Al-Jasim, selecting his team for the 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Champion was not a tough task.

For, almost the same line-up had helped Iraq had come through the qualification from WABA – FIBA Asia's most active sub-zone.

"Eleven of the players in this team played together in the U15 and U16 WABA games,” said Al-Jasim after Iraq beat India 90-69 for their win first win in the competition and booked a place in Second Round.

"They have been together for a long time and they have developed a great understanding," he added.

"Before coming to Jakarta, we had a two-month training camp in Baghdad where we also played four tune-up games against professional Iraqi teams.

Iraq lost their opening two games before beating India, but for Al-Jasim, those two defeats were valuable learning experience.

"It’s not a shame to lose to top teams like Korea and China. I told the players about this yesterday.

"Losses like these are valuable learning experiences and I’m happy with the way my players reacted today against India.

China are three-time reigning Champions and strong favorites to win it for the fourth consecutive edition, but Al-Jasim believes that teams like Korea and Philippines might cause an upset and end China’s monopoly.

"China are the three time champions and heavy favorites to win here in Jakarta, but don’t write off Philippines and Korea."

Al-Jasim chose to play it by the ear for the remainder of the competition.

"We achieved our first step of making it to the Second Round. Now we are focused on making the Final Eight. From there, we'll take it one game at a time," he said.

FIBA