Bahrain suffer second loss to Iran in FIBA World Cup qualifying

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain was outclassed by Iran 64-100 last night in their second Group D game in the first round of Asian qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

The game was played at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town, and it was the second meeting between the two sides in less than a week.

It followed the Bahrainis’ 66-82 defeat to the Iranians last Friday in Tehran.

Bahrain did well to hang around with their heavily favoured rivals in the early stages of the contest and trailed by just two, 24-26, with eight minutes to go in the second quarter.

But the Iranians closed the half strong and took a comfortable 49-35 lead at the half.

In the third, Bahrain mounted a brief comeback and a Mohammed Kowayed three-pointer with just under seven minutes left in the period brought the nationals to within eight, 46-54.

However, it was all downhill from there for the home team.

The Iranians went on an 18-4 run to close the quarter and they extended their rally into the final period where they outscored Bahrain 28-14.

Iran enjoyed the biggest lead of 36 points, which was also their final winning margin.

Kowayed top-scored for Bahrain in the loss with 17 points, including four triples.

Naturalised big man CJ Giles, who did not play in their first contest, added 15 points and eight rebounds while Mohammed Hussain chipped in with 11.

Behnam Yakhchalidehkordi paced Iran’s balanced attack with 22 points, while Mohammad Hassanzadeh had 17 and Mohammad Jamshidijafarbadi added 16.

Arsalan Kazemi scored 14 while also taking down 17 rebounds and dishing out six assists, and Saeid Davarpanah finished with 13.

Both of Bahrain’s losses to Iran were part of the first window of qualifying action.

They return to the hardwood for the second window, scheduled for February 24 and 27 next year, when they go against Syria and then Kazakhstan, respectively.

The final window will be in July of 2022, when they take on Syria on July 1 and Kazakhstan on July 4.

For this first round of qualifiers, 16 teams from Asia/Oceania are divided into four groups of four teams to play in home-and-away games.

The three best-placed teams from each group will advance to the second round.