Sports / Team China
Wang steers China to gold
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-12-16 13:32
DOHA, Dec 15 - China strolled to a 59-44 victory over hosts Qatar in the
Asian Games men's basketball final on Friday, paced by former NBA player
Wang Zhizhi's 28 points.
Wang Zhizhi(L) grabs a rebound during Asian Games men's basketball final.
[Xinhua]
It was China's fifth basketball gold medal in six Asian Games, with their
only defeat coming in Pusan in 2002.
Despite the absence of Yao Ming, who was allowed to stay in the United
States with the Houston Rockets, China had the best of a lively encounter
and their relentless attacks and tight defensive play proved too much for
the Qataris.
China's coach Jonas Kazlauskas praised his entire team but singled out
Wang for his "unimaginable" talent.
"The final was a really good level of basketball, and how we beat our
opponents was a really big success," he told a news conference,
"We controlled the situation all the time, we played good defence, we
made this win. I think this team can be stronger and better in the
future."
Qatar came within five points of the Chinese at the end of the first
quarter, despite squandering a series of chances.
The hosts closed the gap to 20-19 at the start of the second, but after
17 minutes, a sluggish Wang finally got on the scoresheet and helped
China pull away to a 34-25 lead at the midway stage.
China continued to press in the second half and motored comfortably to
the 59-44 win, with Wang scoring almost half the points.
Qatari coach Joseph Stiebing said he was proud of his players but
admitted the Chinese were too strong in the end.
"They were too much for us," he told a news conference.
"They played a very good game, they really defended us, and it was a
great performance by an ex-NBA player (Wang).
"I was proud of our effort as a team. I'm really happy for my guys."
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