Iran basketball team won its Division B quarterfinal match to make it to the semifinals of FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Championship, underway in India, and endure for promotion to Division A.
In its quarterfinal game, Iran outclassed Maldives, 129-39. The West Asians wasted no time in this one, zooming to a 25-7 lead in the first quarter and never relinquishing the initiative.
According to FIBA website, Aida Golmohammadi shined brightly for the Iranian women in the games, putting up 18 points on top of 20 rebounds and 4 steals. She was ably supported by Puonik Arakilians and Maryam Shirazi, who tallied 16 and 15 points respectively.
Iran defeated Nepal 89-32 in its first match in Division B, lost to host India in the second match and won over Sri Lanka 84-76 in its last group match to qualify for the quarterfinals.
This is Iran’s first women’s national team of any age group to see action in more than 40 years, and they are also the first to play with headgear after FIBA’s landmark decision to adopt that rule in May.
Iran was drawn in Group A of the competition’s Division B with Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.
Group B consists of Malaysia, Kazakhstan and the Maldives. China, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand are in Division A.
Headed by Elaheh Darestani, Iran will face Malaysia in the semifinal. Malaysia was the last team to qualify for the last 4, after crushing Nepal, 88-36.
Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka played a tight game to open the day’s hostilities, with the former earning the win, 59-54. Kazakhstan will take on host India that qualified after sweeping Group A.
The fifth edition of the games is underway in the Indian city of Bengaluru, Oct. 22-28.
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