August 01, 2007	Wednesday	Rajab 16, 1428

TOKUSHIMA (Japan), July 31: Two-time former champions South Korea continued their match-winning streak, but Japan suffered a major setback at the Asian men’s basketball championship on Tuesday.

South Korea defeated Jordan 70-65 to take back the title they last won in 1997.

The 2.23-metre Ha Seung-Jin shone in the game, scoring 21 points and winning 12 rebounds to help his side to victory.

Japan, seeking their first Olympic berth since 1976, suffered their first defeat in the championship, losing to Kazakhstan 93-85.

The Koreans and Kazakhstan led the table with a 1-0 record in the four-team Group Two second stage, ahead of Jordan and Japan with 0-1.

Iran won an earlier Group One game despite the best efforts of two-time silver medallists Taiwan.

Taiwan took the lead three times, but Iran regained it each time for a 76-64 victory. Mohammad Nikkhah scored 22 points for Iran, while Hamed Ehdadi took 17 points and Javad Davari, 13.

Meanwhile, Lebanon, the silver medallists in the 2005 championships, overwhelmed Qatar 90-68 thanks to Joseph Vogel.

The Lebanese player scored 14 points, including three three-pointers, in the Group One match.

The top two teams from both groups will play in the knock-out semi-finals, vying for only one ticket for the Beijing Olympics next year. The two best finishers, other than Olympic hosts China and the winners, will be eligible for the final Olympic qualifying round in July next year.

In the playoffs for ninth to 16th place, the Philippines downed Syria 107-100, while Kuwait outclassed India 72-68. Four-time defending champions China saved some face by posting their first win, beating Hong Kong 93-69, and Indonesia edged past the United Arab Emirates 83-81.—AFP