Korea lose to Jordan 68-62

Korea, Asian Games champions at basketball, came off second best at the hands of Jordan in a tightly fought 68-62 game. Physically dominated by the Jordanians, Korea's speed and attacking energy nonetheless meant their point deficit never risked becoming a rout and they threatened to make a comeback at any moment - they just didn't.

Even so, the game glory remains with Jordan. The Jordan's players were stronger and more organised, and constantly found cracks in the Korean defence. Their attacking took Jordan ahead 16-10 in the first quarter. But Korea started digging in, and the next quarter the Jordanians won, but by a lower margin, 15-12, giving them 31-22, an impressive lead.

The half-time break seemed to wake the Koreans and they erupted into a fierce flurry of rapid attacks, ambitious 3-point baskets and accurate, fast passing. They made up some of the deficit, but could not close the gap. With Korea failing to sustain the pace relentlessly, so the third quarter finished 17-17, a good result, but not enough to close the nine point gap.

The fourth quarter saw Korea return to Asian Games winning form and they ran rings around the Jordanians, finishing the last quarter ahead 20-23. But it was not enough to recover from the initial ground the they had surrendered to the Jordanians, who won 68-62.

By 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006