Iran to Face Guam in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Opener
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Group B appears to be one interesting cluster given the measure of unpredictability that the four teams could bring in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 that finally commences this Tuesday.
With contenders Iran and Japan, plus a West Asian force in Syria and the up-and-coming Guam in the mix, many are particularly curious as to how the standings would look once the dust settles.
For a quick refresher, the team that finishes no. 1 in the pool would head straight to the Quarter-Finals, while the second and third-ranked squads would have to go through the Qualification to Quarter-Finals.
Team Melli and AKATSUKI JAPAN, among observers, are coming in as the favorites in the group, given the rich track records these teams possess not only in this competition but in the global scene as well.
The Iranians, for one, have always been a revered competitor since winning three Asia Cup titles from 2007 to 2013. Add to that their pair of appearances in the Summer Olympic Games in 2008 and in 2021.
Its most recent medal in the continental conclave came in 2017, where it settled for silver behind the current reigning two-time titlist Australia before a Quarter-Final finish in the 2022 edition.
Thus, the excitement surrounding their August 8 meeting set at 14:10 local time as both Japan and Iran have built a basketball rivalry of sorts, for it would be the 11th time they'll face each other in the FIBA stage.
