Iran stunned by Iraq in FIBA World Cup qualifiers
Late strike seals ACL crown for Urawa Reds
Iraq notched the biggest upset of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers so far after shocking Iran 74-66 in Amman’s Prince Hamza Arena in Jordan on Friday.
Naturalized player Demario Mayfield made the biggest contribution to Iraq’s triumph with 24 points along with 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in a scintillating display of skill, fiba.basketball reported.
Hassan Abdullah and Ali Ismael also impressed for coach Mustafa Derin, tossing in 15 and 11 points respectively.
Farid Aslani had 16 points to lead Iran while veteran Oshin Sahakian also gave a decent performance for the Asian powerhouse with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Missing key players Hamed Haddadi and Behnam Yakhchali, Iran took the first quarter 22-20 and battled the opponent in a nip-and-tuck affair all throughout until the Iraqis used a late fourth quarter run to pull away for the unexpected victory.
Iran will hope to bounce back when hosting Qatar at the Azadi Indoor Stadium on Monday. Rafael Silva scored late to give Urawa Reds of Japan a 2-1 aggregate victory over Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday.
The Brazilian fired home at Saitama Stadium in the 88th minute for a 1-0 win in the second leg, Associated Press reported.
Silva also scored for Urawa in the 1-1 draw from the first leg in Riyadh.
Urawa secured its second continental title, 10 years after the first.
Al Hilal, reduced to 10 men late in the game, has yet to win the title and also lost in 2014 to Western Sydney Wanderers of Australia.
The Saudi club had more possession and chances but was unable to break down the compact host.
Frustration grew and, with 12 minutes remaining, Salem aldawsari was sent off for a late tackle.
With two minutes left, Silva sent 60,000 fans wild as he sent an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from just inside the area.
Urawa will represent Asia at the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup in December.