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Iran wheelchair basketball team notches 3rd win in Asia-Oceania event

Iran national under-23 wheelchair basketball team (file photo)

Iran national under-23 wheelchair basketball team has captured its third consecutive victory at the Asia-Oceania qualifying tournament for the 2017 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Men's Under-23 World Championship.

On Tuesday morning, the Iranian sportsmen claimed a 65-61 win against Australia in a match staged in the Thai capital city of Bangkok.

“It was a really good game. Our players did their utmost. Even though they lost a number of points and allowed Australians to reduce the deficit to four points, I personally believe they did a great job. Austria is among the favorites in Asia-Pacifict region, and has much to present. Iran, God willing, will emerge as the champion of this tournament,” Iran’s head coach Hassan Palar said after the match.

The Iranian physically-challenged sportsmen had achieved their second victory at the tournament the previous day, when they crushed the Indian squad 89-7.

The Iranian basketball players made a sound start on Monday and tallied enough points to claim the first quarter 31-2.

The Iranians kept the dominance in the second quarter, scoring points to surge ahead. They eventually registered a fifteen-point lead and clinched the quarter 20-5.

The Iranian side showed no sign of surrender as it entered the third quarter. They mounted a string of attacks, and put the opposite side under a relentless spell of pressure to accumulate all the points. The Persians ultimately closed the quarter at 18-0.

In the final quarter, the Iranian team maintained superiority and could take the quarter by 21 points to 0 at last.

The Iranian outfit is scheduled to face China on Wednesday.

Six countries, namely Australia, China, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Thailand, have taken part in the Asia-Oceania qualifying tournament for the IWBF Under-23 World Championship.

Traditionally Australia, Iran and Japan have been favorites to win the tournament. However, China and Japan have shown that they are also to be taken as serious opponents.

The IWBF Under-23 World Championship, which is held every four years, will be in its sixth edition.

The tournament will take place between June 8 and 16 at the Mattamy Athletic Center in the Canadian city of Toronto.

 


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