Match report Australia V India 24/6/13Well after 3 years of non stop training for the players, a hard fought election and much discussion on the offsite forum, the first game of the Under 21 Asian Championships was played tonight.
Ranked 44 in the World, the Aussie Under 21s were drawn against Yodas old mob India who were ranked 61 one in the World.
The game was a definite “must win game”, because to advance to the next round Australia has to finish top 4 in a pool which contains the highly fancied 17th ranked Iran and Indonesia who are ranked 15th.
The Wombat King (Mickyster) was outwardly confident leading into the game but on the inside must have been concerned by the high expectations placed on the team.
Consensus was that for the season to be a success “our boys” had to qualify for next seasons World Under 21 Cup .
A tough task but made some what seemingly easier by having a home court advantage courtesy of being the highest placed Asian team in season 23 consolation tournament.
The Indians must have been some what confident given that despite Austalia having a home court advantage, the game was to be played at the Madrid Centre home of the St.Lakers
(196254) who don’t look all that Australian
Starting on the court for Australia was Barth, Birss, Williams, Feaunati (Ted) and Baldyga (Bald guy). The decision to start “Bald guy” was a bit contentious given that he’d only flown in from Espania a couple hours earlier, but was deemed necessary given Waynes (The Duke) poor game shape
Tip off and within a minute Australia are 4 nil down, soon Williams fires up Australia’s first shot of the tournament but misses, however not long after Barth gets a pass off to Williams who hits the teams first points.
Barth fresh from the teams first assist soon follows up with the teams first rebound and before long Australia is back in the game.
Indias PF Shaji was posing a problem early for the Australians but at quarter time we had a 25 to 19 point lead courtesy of a 14 to 9 ascendancy in rebounds and Williams shooting 4 from 5.
The 2nd quarter started with both teams trading baskets until the 5th minute mark when the decisive play of the game was to occur.
Nandyal, Indias starting Centre who had been a focus for Australias scouts before the game, started ribbing our “Bald guy” about how much more he was earning, how he had more potential and like any true blue Aussie our “Bald guy” draws a flagrant foul, flattening Nandyal in the process and putting him out of the game all to the deafening applause of the Aussies watching.
Tensions were obviously high and it wasn’t long before a second flagrant foul was called on the Aussies, this time it was Poluta’u Brar (Polar Bear) who went all "Grizzly" and dealt it out.
Half time rolls around and despite the loss of their best player the Indians courtesy of some good free throw shooting had closed the gap a little to be down 36 to 41.
The 3rd quarter started as had the first with India getting the first 4 points to draw within one point, before Williams again steadied the team with a two.
Shaji was continuing to score heavily inside for the Indians but without Nandyal on the court the Australians were dominating the boards and had extended their lead to 10 points at 3 quarter time.
Discussion in the crowd centered on the potential listing on the market of Mllamas 20yo outstanding prospect Sibbit, who was certainly drawing some interest from Whitewind and the Wombat King.
Fourth quarter commenced and conversation in the crowd changed as to who should be court captain.
Continued in the next PostLast edited by Sid Vicious at 6/24/2013 8:18:10 AM