The showdown between Iranian and Jordanian teams convened in the Lebanese capital of Beirut where Persian basketball players pulled out a sweeping 83-71 win over their Western Asian opponents.
Mehran Hatami’s boys maintained the lead in the first two quarters of the match securing 19-12 and 24-14 wins though they suffered a 19-24 loss in the opening quarter of the second half. Jordanians, in dire need of a win, claimed a 21-21 draw in the final quarter of the eye-catching debut though Iran carried the day overall.
The Iranian squad had previously defeated rivals from India (101-54) and Syria (87-63) to confirm its top position in Group A of the prestigious sportive event with a total of six points.
In the quarterfinals, national basketballers of Iran are slated to take up winner of the match between Chinese Taipei and Lebanon.
Organized by FIBA Asia, the 29th continental basketball championship in Asia kicked off on August 8, in the Lebanese capital of Beirut and will run through August 20 in the Nouhad Nawfal Stadium.
HA/4058276