India's aspirations in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers faced another harsh reality check as they succumbed to a comprehensive 81-57 defeat against Saudi Arabia at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. This marked the third loss to the higher-ranked Arab side in recent months, completing a double for the visitors in the qualifying phase.
A Familiar Story of Dominance
The gulf in quality between world number 76 India and the 64th-ranked Saudi Arabia was evident from the outset. The visitors managed the game with professional ease, hardly needing to shift into top gear to maintain control. The one-sided nature of the Group D encounter was epitomized in the third quarter when Saudi star Marzouq Almuwallad, after drawing fouls, celebrated with dance moves. He finished the game with 13 points.
Shooting Woes Haunt India Again
For the second consecutive match in the qualifiers, India's poor shooting efficiency proved to be their undoing. The team converted a meagre 29% of their shots from the field, a statistic that left head coach Scott Flemming visibly frustrated on the sidelines. The American tactician had emphasized the need for three-point accuracy before the game, but his plans fell apart as the shots refused to fall.
"We took some tough shots early on. This guy (Sandhu) shot well, but as a team, we were a bit cold. We do not have the athleticism and quickness to stay close to teams like Saudi Arabia. We have got to make shots to hang in there," Flemming stated in the post-match analysis. The lone bright spot for the hosts was Kanwar Sandhu, who top-scored with 19 points.
Saudi Arabia's Key Players Seal the Deal
Saudi Arabia's victory was built on strong individual performances. Naturalized player Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, named after the legendary boxer, led the charge with a game-high 24 points. His second-quarter blitz effectively put the game beyond India's reach. Ali Shubayli had set the tone earlier with a strong first period.
In the paint, the 6'9" Mohammed Alsuwailem was a dominant force. His intimidating presence under the basket disrupted India's offensive schemes in the key and provided his teammates with greater freedom on the perimeter.
The final scoreline read: Saudi Arabia 81 (19-9, 24-12, 26-15, 12-21) beat India 57. The result leaves India with a mountain to climb in their quest for World Cup qualification, highlighting the significant work needed to compete at this level in Asian basketball.
