Iran national basketball team thrashed Iraq 83-53 in a vengeance match on Sunday in the series of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers at Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran.
Led by Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Iran proved to be too high-powered as it thrashed Iraq in the second window, FIBA website reported.
Iran’s team successfully got payback on the Iraqis, who upset the Iranians in the first window of the Asian Qualifiers. Haddadi led the way with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots, while fellow veteran Bahrami added 16 points, 7 assists, 4 boards and 3 three-pointers in the lopsided affair.
On the other end, Hassan Abdullah paced Iraq with a dozen points, while naturalized wingman DeMario Mayfield had 11 points, but he shot a poor 4-of-16 from the field in 37 minutes of action. Mayfield scored all his points in the first half and was shut down by Iran in the last two quarters.
Iraq actually started with a ton of energy and aggressiveness, even leading at the end of the first ten minutes, 22-21, but the home team cranked up its level of play in the second and third quarters, and outscored Iraq, 43-23, and effectively put the game out of reach.
Top of Group D
This win puts Iran at the very top of Group D with a 3-1 win-loss record, while the Iraqis fall to fourth place with a 1-3 record below Qatar, which beat them a few days ago.
Iran will gun for two more wins in the third window, where they will face Qatar and Kazakhstan, while Iraq will fight for their lives against the same opponents this coming June and July.
In the first window of the Asian Qualifiers last November, Iran was stunned by Iraq in Amman.
The 74-66 result triggered wild celebrations from the Iraq players and their fans at the Prince Hamza Arena and left the fancied Iran with much to ponder. They were without key players Nikkhah Bahrami, Haddadi and Behnam Yakhchali but the shock upset led to outrage back home.
Iranian fans were highly disappointed that their proud basketball team had suffered such a letdown against the upstart Iraq. Even though they rebounded against Qatar, it was still a disappointing first window for Iran and cause for concern.
In recent times, Iran had favored a youth policy after a golden generation culminated in Asian titles and an appearance at the 2008 Olympics. Last month, Iran Basketball Federation elected new president Ramin Tabatabaei and he supported the push for veterans to return to the team – most notably 34-year-old Bahrami and Haddadi.
In the second window, Iran looked far more confident and polished with iconic forward Bahrami back in the mix alongside Haddadi. In Astana last week, Iran easily beat previously undefeated Kazakhstan 75-54 with Bahrami immediately making his presence felt with a stellar 20 points and 8 assists in a game-high 37 minutes.
In the re-match against Iraq, Bahrami once again showed his class with 16 points - including a trio of three-pointers - 7 assists and 4 rebounds as Iran gained sweet revenge with a comprehensive 83-53 victory to ensure their passionate fans had plenty to cheer about.
Haddadi too was a force starring with 20 points and 20 rebounds against Kazakhstan, and 18 points and 9 rebounds versus Iraq.
