Indian women cagers finish third

India claimed the third place among level II teams after beating Malaysia 87-77 on the final day of the 19th Asian basketball championships for women in Bangkok on Thursday.

Other matches scheduled later in the day were Uzbekistan vs Kazakhstan, Taiwan vs Korea and the championship maqtch between China and Japan.

A game between Hong Kong and Lebanon was cancelled after the Lebanese squad left Thailand early due to "domestic problems" back home.

Hong Kong is ranked fifth while Lebanon is ranked sixth in the level II competition.

The top three teams from level I - comprising China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand - will travel to China next year for the World championships.

China automatically qualifies for a spot as host of the tournament.

Level II teams, which are vying for a slot among the Level I sides, include Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan.