FIBA World Cup: Win or done as India play Jordan
, ET Bureau|
Feb 23, 2018, 01.47 PM IST
The new FIBA World Cup qualification format was chosen so that teams like India could measure themselves. But, so far, the team has been found wanting. They failed to beat Lebanon away and then surprisingly lost to Syria at home - the fixture they could and should have won.
The men’s team will play Jordan today in the first of the second round of matches under new ‘caretaker’ coach Rajinder Singh. The team’s expected to be better than the first round as two of India’s top stars Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh have returned to the lineup.
Amjyot missed the first two fixtures as he was playing with Oklahoma City Blue in NBA’s G-League. The 6’9” forward, one of Asia’s best no less and still only 26 years old, is confident of performing when duty calls. “This is my first tournament for India after I made it to the NBA G-League. I’m there (playing for OKC) because of the national team. If they call me, I have to come. I don’t feel there can be an issue.”
There was a slight confusion about the participation of the two, but both have eventually made it to the final roster.
Centre Amritpal missed the match against Syria due to a personal emergency. Even he’s had a busy life away from the national team as part of the Sydney Kings in Australia’s National Basketball League.
The two players, who joined the team in Bengaluru only a few days ago, haven’t had much time with their teammates but are still sure of making it work to the team’s advantage. Amjyot said, “I’ve been playing with these guys for some time, so it’s not an issue (lack of practice). I know all these players and know what we’re capable of (doing).”
The coach too said their impact will be felt despite the lack of game time together. “Of course, their arrival will make a big difference because they are our star players. At the same time, other players are doing well too.”
Coach Rajinder also said the team’s confidence was high following their silver at the Asian Games 5x5 invitational tournament in Indonesia. Zoran Visic, who coached the team for the first two games, was unhappy with the team’s conditioning due to a lack of games. But Rajinder said their fitness levels are “good”, especially with the addition of two players who’ve been playing more regularly.
He’s also hoping to counter Jordan’s game based on research he did on Youtube. “I have studied Jordan’s games on Youtube. They are a good team, fast on breaks and their players like Mahmoud Abdeen, Ahmad Alhamarsheh and Mousa Alawadi play well from the outside,” he said.
Jordan have won bother their matches and for comparison are ranked 21 places above India - ranked 64.
After Friday’s game, India will be play Lebanon on February 26 .
Satnam Singh Bhamara, of NBA fame and currently a UBA player, will captain the team. He was their best player, scoring 14 points in their loss to Syria. The 22-year-old will need to sync fast with the returning heroes to give India any chance of qualification. The top three teams from each group will progress to the second round of the qualifiers.
The men’s team will play Jordan today in the first of the second round of matches under new ‘caretaker’ coach Rajinder Singh. The team’s expected to be better than the first round as two of India’s top stars Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh have returned to the lineup.
Amjyot missed the first two fixtures as he was playing with Oklahoma City Blue in NBA’s G-League. The 6’9” forward, one of Asia’s best no less and still only 26 years old, is confident of performing when duty calls. “This is my first tournament for India after I made it to the NBA G-League. I’m there (playing for OKC) because of the national team. If they call me, I have to come. I don’t feel there can be an issue.”
There was a slight confusion about the participation of the two, but both have eventually made it to the final roster.
Centre Amritpal missed the match against Syria due to a personal emergency. Even he’s had a busy life away from the national team as part of the Sydney Kings in Australia’s National Basketball League.
The two players, who joined the team in Bengaluru only a few days ago, haven’t had much time with their teammates but are still sure of making it work to the team’s advantage. Amjyot said, “I’ve been playing with these guys for some time, so it’s not an issue (lack of practice). I know all these players and know what we’re capable of (doing).”
The coach too said their impact will be felt despite the lack of game time together. “Of course, their arrival will make a big difference because they are our star players. At the same time, other players are doing well too.”
Coach Rajinder also said the team’s confidence was high following their silver at the Asian Games 5x5 invitational tournament in Indonesia. Zoran Visic, who coached the team for the first two games, was unhappy with the team’s conditioning due to a lack of games. But Rajinder said their fitness levels are “good”, especially with the addition of two players who’ve been playing more regularly.
He’s also hoping to counter Jordan’s game based on research he did on Youtube. “I have studied Jordan’s games on Youtube. They are a good team, fast on breaks and their players like Mahmoud Abdeen, Ahmad Alhamarsheh and Mousa Alawadi play well from the outside,” he said.
Jordan have won bother their matches and for comparison are ranked 21 places above India - ranked 64.
After Friday’s game, India will be play Lebanon on February 26 .
Satnam Singh Bhamara, of NBA fame and currently a UBA player, will captain the team. He was their best player, scoring 14 points in their loss to Syria. The 22-year-old will need to sync fast with the returning heroes to give India any chance of qualification. The top three teams from each group will progress to the second round of the qualifiers.
