DUBAI, 16th May 2017: UAE pulled off a thrilling 62-56 win over South Africa to book their berth in the semi-finals of the 9th Fazza Wheelchair Basketball International Championship – Dubai 2017 held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, at the Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum indoor hall at Al Ahli Club, Dubai on Monday 15th May.

Thailand eased past Bahrain 67-35 to notch their second consecutive while Japan defeated Saudi Arabia 59-36 for their second win of the competition.

The seven-team competition is being organized and supervised by the Dubai Club for People of Determination with the support of their strategic partners Dubai Sports Council, IWBF (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation), the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW) and the UAE Paralympic Committee.

The participating countries are South Africa, Japan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Great Britain and hosts UAE.

Thailand take on Japan in the first match on the third day of group matches on Tuesday 16th May to decide the group leaders at 10.00a.m. UAE will be up against Great Britain in the second match of the day at 12.00 noon while Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will battle for regional supremacy in the final group match at 2.00 p.m.

Seniors

The UAE senior national team spearheaded by Mohamed Al Zarooni gave a dazzling performance to score a historic win over the South African team headed for the World Under 23 Wheelchair Basketball Championships to be held in Toronto, Canada next month. Great Britain and Japan are also using the Fazza Wheelchair Basketball International Championship – Dubai as final preparation for the world event.

Al Zarooni played a pivotal role in UAE’s magnificent performance, leading from the front by contributing an amazing 25 points and being the playmaker of the side with precision passes or driving forays to punch holes in the opposition defence.

UAE dominated from the opening whistle conceding the lead only briefly during the first period in which they edged out South Africa 16-15 scoring points through swift breakaway moves through Ibrahim Al Hammadi while Jasim Al Naqbi produced a brilliant underarm swing to steal the limelight.

Abdullah Al Suram got his act right as UAE held a 16-12 edge in the second period to enjoy a 32-27 cushion at half time.

UAE held sway in the third period scoring 14 to 12 even as South Africa made a valiant attempt to close the gap. The UAE players ran rings round the opposition while their defence held firm closely marking South African sharpshooter Steven Walgenbach.

In a closely-contested final period, South Africa closed the gap to 49-50 as UAE were penalized for committing fouls. But man-of-the-match Mohammed Al Zarooni sealed victory for UAE by getting 12 points in succession sinking several free throws in the process to dash South Africa’s hopes.

Habib Al Balshoushi, Abdullah Hashemi and Saif Al Hemeri played a key role in UAE’s win. Steven Walgenbach top scored for South Africa with 21 points while Ayabonga Jim weighed in with 12 points.

Experience

South African team manager Gerhard Smith said it was a learning experience for the young players. “Some of them are just 14 or 15 years and have never travelled out of the country. It was a good experience for them. It will be tough for them in Canada. Hopefully they would have gained by this experience. Our loss was a result of inexperience. We hope to come back with the senior team next time. We are happy with our stay in Dubai. The arrangements have been fantastic,” he said.

Kazumi Terauchi (18), Koki Maruyama (12) and Ryuga Akaisha (10) were the main scorers in Japan’s win over Saudi Arabia who were trailing 26-22 at half time. Nabeel Hamad Al Doseri kept Saudi hopes alive sinking a couple of three-pointers in his score of 12 while Ahmed Abbas Meshaima also got double figures.

“It was a tough match because the opposition players were big,” said Japan’s coach Nishida Satoshi as they seek to improve on their second position in this tournament last year before heading to Canada for the World championships.

In the first match of the day, Thailand swept past Bahrain with Kwanchai Pimkorn contributing 17 points, opening and ending the match by sinking three-point shots. Aekksati Jumjarean top scored with 18 points while Tawatchai Jaisin and Athin Singdong got double figures. Essam Buayti and Faisal Asiri scored 10 points apiece for Bahrain.