In a semifinal debut on Saturday evening, the National Iranian basketball team managed to pull out an 81-78 victory over the South Korean squad.
The Persians, who have remained undefeated so far in the tournament, gained the upper hand in the opening quarter chucking up a stunning 30-13 win. Meanwhile, the following quarter ended in favor of the Korean side 10-9.
Basketball outfit of South Korea, having come back to game, tightened the pressure against Iranians and, while blocking Iran’s attacks with a solid and vigorous defense, gained points from every shoot to with the third quarter 28-18.
The last quarter of the breath-taking match witnessed a neck-on-neck competition between Iranian and South Korean athletes who exchanged points though it was Iran who widened the gap in the concluding minutes to come out victorious in the quarter (30-20) and the match.
South Koreans suffered the defeat in the face of Iran while they had miraculously thrashed title-holder Philippines on road to the semifinal stage.
Given that Australia had downed New Zealand 106-79, Iran is slated to take up the Oceanian country in the finals of the prestigious sportive event on Sunday.
Organized by FIBA Asia, the 29th continental basketball championship in Asia kicked off on August 8th in the Lebanese capital of Beirut and will run through August 20 in the Nouhad Nawfal Stadium.
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