Japan’s turbulent Asian Games basketball tournament, which saw four players sent home in disgrace, came to an end on Monday when they were beaten 93-67 by Iran in the quarterfinals in Jakarta.
The Japanese Olympic Committee revoked four players’ accreditation after they were found to have spent the night with women in a Jakarta hotel, Reuters reported.
The remaining eight members of the squad had pulled off an emotional win over Hong Kong last Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals but found Iran a bridge too far.
Unable to train five-on-five in the leadup to Monday’s game, or frequently rotate players in an out of the match-up, eventually took its toll. “Those four players made a big mistake and I accept the rules. That is not an excuse to not compete and not play tough,” said Japan coach Herman Mandole. Iran will face South Korea in the semifinals on Thursday. South Korea beat the Philippines 91-82 in the quarterfinals on Monday. Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Jordan Clarkson gained 25 points for South Korea.
Clarkson had been cleared to play at the Asian Games by the NBA and made his national team debut earlier in the competition.
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