BAGHDAD (Iraq) - Iran and Lebanon secured their spots in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 after the proud programs reached the WABA Qualifiers Final on Sunday, July 14.
The two accomplished as much after dispatching their respective opponents in the Semi-Finals at the Al Shaeb Hall in the Iraqi capital.
The young #TeamMelli were the first to book their ticket after beating Jordan by way of a 73-55 rout thanks to a strong start spearheaded by their starting unit.
Pedram Fallah showed the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Amir Hossein Obedi supplied 17 points and 7 boards, while Salar Taheri and Mahdi Heydari delivered 11 points apiece as 4 of the first five finished in double figures in the triumph.
The young #Cedars then completed the 2-team envoy to the tournament proper set on September by dashing the hopes of the host nation through a 67-55 decision.
Omar Younes top-scored with 16 points, while Anthony Naba provided 14 points as the tandem joined hands for the finishing 8-0 run after Iraq came within 59-55 with under 3 minutes left. Hadi El Khatib added 13 points and 9 rebounds in the win.
Lebanon and Iran are the latest to qualify for the U18 Asia Cup after Kazakhstan and India, which recently ruled the CABA and SABA Qualifiers, respectively.
They will be joining defending champions Korea and other East Asian teams in Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, and Mongolia, as well as Australia and New Zealand as the two went 1-2 in the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship in Papua New Guinea.
Now, other teams will try their luck in making it to the biennial competition through the other Sub-Zone Qualifiers taking place in the next few weeks.
The SEABA Qualifiers will be held in Malaysia on July 19-21 with 2 tickets on the line. The GBA Qualifiers, on the other hand, are set on July 29-August 2 in Kuwait, where 2 slots will be fought for.
The FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 will be played on September 2-9 in Amman, Jordan.
FIBA