Zhou Qi (L) of China competes during the Group F match between China and Iran of FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)
China men's basketball team, already securing a ticket to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, beat Iran to wrap up Asian Qualifiers.
HONG KONG, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China men's basketball team beat Iran 86-74 here on Sunday in their last match of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
As China had already secured a berth at the 2023 FIBA World Cup prior to the sixth window period, head coach Aleksandar Djordjevic used Kazakhstan and Iran matches as opportunities to test line-ups. Facing Iran, Djordjevic rotated the 12-player list by dropping Guo Ailun, Wang Zhelin and Hu Mingxuan, while calling up Zeng Fanbo and Hu Jinqiu.
Having trailed behind after the first half at 48-45, China turned around the game by playing out 16-10 in the third quarter. The Dragons rode the momentum in the fourth quarter to seal the win with a series of 3-pointers from Wu Qian and Zhao Jiwei.
Wu Qian (L) of China breaks through during the Group F match between China and Iran of FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)
All 12 players of China scored, while Wu, who made three out of five behind the arc, took a team-high 18 points. Zhao added 12 and delivered eight assists. Iran's Behnam Yakhchali registered a game-high 28 points.
China wrapped up the World Cup Qualifiers in second place in Group F with 10 wins and two defeats.
