FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers:
Iran completes Syria sweep to win first-round group
Iran claimed a second victory over Syria in seven days, winning 73-52 in Amman on Sunday to top first-round Group C in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Having beaten Jordan 67-49 on Thursday, Iran never trailed and led for 39:21, controlling the game from start to finish to conclude the first round of the qualifiers with a 5-1 record.
Forward Arsalan Kazemi was instrumental with his all-round display, collecting 11 rebounds, four points, and two steals in 23:34. He finished with an efficiency rating of 15 and a game-high plus-24, helping Iran dominate the boards and repeatedly turn defensive stops into scoring opportunities.
Matin Aqajanpour led Iran in scoring with 13 points while adding eight rebounds and an assist. Mohammad Mahdi Heidari contributed 12 points, shooting 4-of-7 from the field, including two three-pointers, while also recording two rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.
Syria relied heavily on Donte Lamont McGill, who finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and an assist, but the hosts were unable to mount a serious comeback.
The decisive stretch came in the third quarter when Iran produced an 11-0 run in less than three minutes to increase its lead to 49-24. Mobin Sheikhi scored five points during the burst on perfect shooting to put the result beyond doubt.
Iran will resume qualification in final-round Group E, which also features Asian champion Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Jordan, and Syria, starting with a home game against New Zealand on August 27.
The top three teams from each of the two groups, along with the best fourth-placed finisher, will qualify for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar.