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India Falls Short Against Iran in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Opener
In a disappointing start to their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers campaign, the Indian basketball team succumbed to a 53-86 defeat against Iran at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Despite enjoying home-court advantage, India struggled to contain Iran’s dominance, particularly in rebounding and second-chance opportunities.
Iran capitalized on 22 second-chance opportunities compared to India’s meager two, highlighting a critical disparity in rebounding prowess between the two teams. The Indian side, led by coach Veselin Matic, faced challenges in matching Iran’s physicality under the basket, with only two pure centers available.
The match began with promising defensive intensity from the Indian Cagers, reminiscent of their performance against Kazakhstan. However, they faltered as the game progressed, gradually losing their early lead. Communication lapses on defense and an inability to match Iran’s physicality were cited as key issues by Muin Bek Hafeez during the post-game conference.
Despite a competitive first half, India struggled to maintain momentum in the face of Iran’s relentless pressure. The team’s fatigue became evident in the second half as they failed to recover from Iran’s physical play. Veselin Matic acknowledged the challenge of integrating players from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the need for improved communication and cohesion.
Looking ahead, India aims to regroup for upcoming tournaments, including the 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore and the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in November. Matic expressed his determination to enhance the team’s competitiveness through rigorous preparation, ensuring they are better equipped to face challenges in future fixtures.
While the defeat against Iran serves as a setback, India remains optimistic about their prospects in the ongoing qualifiers. With strategic planning and concerted efforts to address weaknesses, the team aims to bounce back stronger in the upcoming fixtures, aiming for a more competitive showing in the remainder of the tournament.
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