Iran Beaten by Japan at FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

A couple of key Iranian players were absent and Japan took full advantage.

Japan put itself in prime position to threaten the teams at the top half of the Group F team standings.

Bucking the absence of veterans Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, who were both sidelined with injury, Iran rode the hot shooting of Behnam Yakhchali in the first half, but Japan head coach Julio Lamas made key adjustments that enabled the host to turn the tables around in the second half.

The Akatsuki Five went on a telling 26-8 blast in the third quarter, erecting a double-digit lead from which Team Melli could not recover. The home team were on cruise control entering the fourth period and proceeded to treat the sellout Ota Gymnasium crowd to yet another pulsating win.

The dynamic duo of Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe once again served notice of Japan's bright future. Hachimura scored 25 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 assists in another stellar showing, while Watanabe added 18 points of his own.

As for Iran, Yakhchali finished with a team-high 21 points, while Meisam Mirazaei tried his best to anchor the middle for the visitors with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Things won't get any easier for Iran as its next game is on the road against Australia on 30 November even as Japan plays host once more this time to Qatar also on the same date.

Iran falls to 6 wins and 2 losses in Group F, while Japan is knocking on the door of the top 3 with 4 wins and 4 defeats.