The men's basketball world qualifier ushered in the final window of the game, in a focus battle for qualifying places in Group F, the former Asian hegemon, the Iranian men's basketball team, away to the Japanese men's basketball team. For the Iranian men's basketball team, as long as it wins this game, there is even hope of qualifying for the round early. However, in the face of great opportunities, the Iranian men's basketball team unexpectedly collapsed. After four quarters, Japan beat Iran 96-61 by 35 points.
Both teams are in the same group as the Chinese men's basketball team, but the result of the game has no impact on the Chinese men's basketball team. Because in the pre-match standings, the Chinese men's basketball team ranked second in the group with 8 wins and 2 losses, and has joined Australia to advance to the World Cup. The two games against Kazakhstan and Iran, for the Chinese men's basketball team, it is more important to train troops and scout new talents. In addition, Japan is the host of the World Cup, and they are not under pressure to perform. Although Iran is one victory ahead of Kazakhstan, Iran was double-killed by Kazakhstan in the first stage, so it was not careless.
In terms of personnel, Iranian veteran Haddadi was reimbursed for a ruptured Achilles tendon when playing in the CBA, but the team still has Jacques Charlie, Jamsidi, Kazmi and other famous players sitting there. The Japanese team did not recruit NBA stars such as Yamura and Yuta Watanabe, the team was led by Yuki Tomiken, and the Japanese team also recruited naturalized player Hawkinson. Even so, the outside world is still more optimistic about the Iranian team. You know, last year, the two sides met twice in the Asian Cup and the World Qualifiers, and Iran won all of them, and the advantage was in double digits. But unexpectedly, the Iranian team said that it would collapse.
In the first quarter of the game, the two sides went back and forth in the opening stage, the score alternately rose, and the battle situation was very glue. However, as the game progressed, the Iranian team suddenly lost power. In the last 3 minutes of the first quarter, Japan's Yuki Kawamura scored eight consecutive points on a sudden shot, while Iran scored no point, and Japan overtook Iran 22-16 to lead the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Japanese fired from the outside, almost crazy, and the gap immediately opened up to double digits. On the other hand, the Iranian team can't score in sports battles, and even free throws are very spicy. Japan hit 10 three-pointers in the first half, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, while Iran conceded eight free throws. With such a disparity, the score reached 52-29 at halftime, a difference of 23 points.
In the third quarter, the Iranian team still did not improve, and the Japanese team continuously used the Iranian team to play iron to convert offensive and defensive games. With Hodkinson crushing Davodichegani's hook hit, the gap stretched to more than 30 points, and the game lost its suspense early. At the timeout, the Iranian bench was filled with an air of despair, and the head coach was serious. After the third quarter, Japan led Iran 75-45. The final quarter of the game turned into garbage time, and the Iranian team had already lost their spirits, and the difference between the two sides remained around 30 points. In the end, with the Iranian team making the last three shots, the score was fixed at 96-61, and the Iranian team lost by 35 points.
There is no doubt that Iran, as the former Asian champion, faced the rising star Japan team collapsed like this, which was unexpected by the vast majority of fans and broke out into a big upset. The state shown by the Iranian team in this game, not to mention the next round to challenge the Chinese men's basketball team, even the Bahrain team may not have played. After losing this match, the Iranian team did not qualify early and smelled the danger of being out. If they lose to the Chinese men's basketball team in the next round, they can only hope that Kazakhstan will lose completely. Once Australia gives Kazakhstan a final round, Iran is likely to be out.
However, the Iranian team has not yet reached a desperate situation, after all, Kazakhstan's last two opponents are China and Australia, if you play normally, it is difficult to win anyone, and the Iranian team still has a great hope of qualifying for the World Cup. But even if Iran enters the World Cup, how far can it go in such a state? Today's Iranian team is no longer the Asian champion team of more than a decade ago.