DOHA: Iran tightened the screws on Korea just in time to book their third ever berth in a FIBA Asia U18 Championship final with a 78-60 win in the first semi-finals at Al Gharafa Stadium here yesterday.
With this victory, the Iranians also secured a spot in the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship to be played in Crete, Greece.
Hosts Qatar also managed to pull off a thrilling 52-51 victory against Jordan yesterday.
Iran started poorly and were down by 10 points at the end of a scrappy first half. It seemed that in their attempt to fight fire with fire, the Iranians were playing into the hands of Korea.
But after a tongue lashing from the usually reticent IRIBF President Mahmoud Mashoun in the locker-room, Iran came back strong.
Ali Allahverdi led the 2004 and 2008 FIBA Asia U18 Championship winners’ resurgence and he was matched by Mohammad Yousuf Vand – the lone player who was carrying forward the grudge of Iran’s defeat at Korea’s hands at the same stage at the last edition of the tournament in Ulan Bator in 2012.
A team that trailed by double digits going into the locker room break had truly returned not only rejuvenated, but in complete control.
Where Iran flourished, Korea floundered. They began with speed, depending on their incredible 50 per cent field shooting rate. But lost the plot after a while.
THE PENINSULA
