Qatar Defeats Iran at FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifier
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Flashbacks of their Window 1 encounter nine months ago occurred over at the side of Qatar when Iran pushed their highly-anticipated FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers rematch on Monday night into another overtime affair.
But the youth-laden squad made sure that it won't end in another heartbreak, displaying maturity beyond their years to eke out a dramatic 78-77 victory - much to the delight of the home fans at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall.
Mike Lewis II nailed the go-ahead lay-up with 6.4 seconds left to play off a strong drive to the cup, before the crew collectively forced Rasoul Mozafari to a crucial turnover with exactly three seconds left to regain the possession on their side.
Team Melli had one last attempt to save themselves with 1.1 seconds left to play, but the cross-court inbound directed near the paint was deflected by Ndoye Seydou as time expired, and all of Team Qatar would erupt in jubilation afterward.
Not only did the squad get back at the Iranians for that stinging 76-74 OT defeat last February at the latter's own grounds at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran, but they also ended a 19-year losing skid against the three-time Asia Cup champion.
The last time it beat its long-time tormentors was in the 2005 edition of the continental meet, a convincing 79-58 victory during the Quarter-Final round.
Furthermore, Qatar stalled Iran's outright qualification to the 2025 Asia Cup as they dealt the latter their first loss after starting the Qualifiers with three straight wins, fiba.com reported.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 host, on the other hand, won both of its assignments this window - a marked improvement after going 0-2 in Window 1.
