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Hosts China kept up their reputation of being the winningest team in the history of FIBA Asia Basketball Championships by outplaying defending champions Iran in a fast-paced semi-final in Changsha. The game was electric, but China held their nerve to come out thirteen points ahead 70-57.
The opening minutes of the first quarter were predictive of the manner of the whole game, as both teams set off at a dash from the first buzzer. China took a quick lead at 6-2 in the seventh minute. The crowd got bang for their buck when star players Yi Jianlian and Hammed Haddaddi got into a scuffle. The first quarter ended with China leading 16-10 Iran.
The second quarter followed in the manner of the first, with both teams playing at a furious pace. China’s star Yi Jianlian was once again the stalwart of the team, at both ends of the court. An unsportsman-like conduct foul was called on China’s Ji Wei Zhao at 6:48. China ended the quarter with a 10 point lead at 39-29 Iran.
Neither side showed signs of slowing down in the 3rd quarter, but China played with a higher sense of urgency and took a 14 point lead, with the scoreboard reading CHI 48-34 IRI. The Reds relentlessly added to their lead, with big man Jianlian creating a few “Posters”. The 3rd quarter ended with China well ahead at 58-44 Iran.
The defending champions Iran took the floor for the final quarter knowing what was at stake and this was evident in their exigent gameplay. They cut the lead down to six points in the fifth minute. A major reprieve came Iran’s way in the 4th minute, when they retained possession after missing 2 three-pointers and a Chinese player knocked the ball out of bounds. But China were quick to compensate for their error, and extended their lead to 8 almost immediately.
Thought the Chinese gave no quarter, Iran showed a never-say-die attitude, battling for possession until the last second. But the Great Wall of China would not be breached, and the Reds ended the game with their unbeaten record intact. The score at the final buzzer was CHI 70-57 IRI. China will play the final tomorrow, with an Olympic spot up for grabs, besides the gold medal. Aside from a bronze medal spot, Iran will also get a chance to clinch an Olympic berth, as they have qualified for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
