In a Monday match held at Tokyo’s Ota City General Gymnasium, the Iranian team had the lead in the first quarter and took win home 22-16 but Japan, fueled by its enthusiastic fans and led by 26 points from Rui Hachimura, showed better quality in the three remaining quarters and closed the match 70-56.
Iran now ranks second in Group F of Asian qualifiers with 6 wins and 2 losses. The team will face the group leader Australia on November 3 in their next game.
Top three best placed teams from each group and the best 4th-placed team (total of seven teams, besides the host China) shall qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 from Asia.
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