A clutch two-point shot from Japan's forward Hirokai Kozai gave his side its second preliminary win of the Paralympic men's wheelchair basketball, a 60-58 victory over South Africa at the USTB Gymnasium on Thursday.
Japan trailed by one point with 26.5 seconds left on the clock when Kozai, who ended the match with nine points, received the ball close to the key and scored the winning shot.
South Africa had two more chances with 11.5 seconds to play but a bad pass by Nicholas Taylor gave the ball to Japan and Kozai added a further point with a free throw.
With still 1.6 seconds to play, captain Marius Papenfus missed a three-pointer for South Africa on the buzzer.
Reo Fujimoto scored a game-high 20 points and had 10 rebounds, while guard Keisuke Koretomo joined him with 15 points and four assists.
Richard Nortje led South Africa in scoring and rebounding, with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Justin Govender and Taylor added 10 points apiece.
"Team Japan performed well in the match. We also focused on the match and we were excited. We learned a lot from the loss," said South African coach Vivian Sierra.
"The Paralympic Games is a really big occasion. I'd like to thank the organization of the Paralympic Games committee and the spectators in the stand. The game was fantastic."
"During the time out in the last seconds of the match, I gave them some advice, especially on strategy. We tried to keep them (Japan) outside the key area to prevent them shooting and get the game to the end. However, Hiroaki Kozai went inside and scored," added he.
"It was really a tough game. Both of us realised we should go to top eight. Both played well," said South African captain Marius Papenfus.
Japan ended the preliminary round with a 2-4 record after beating Germany on Monday and losing to Sweden, Iran and Canada. The victory secured their place for the quarterfinals to be played at the National Indoor Stadium on Friday.
South Africa (1-5) will compete on a playoff to determine their position between the eighth and 12th place.
(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2008)