India put up a strong show against 27th-ranked Iran but went down 53-86 in their Group E match of the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in New Delhi on Monday. (More Sports News)
The 81st-ranked India made an impressive start with forward Pranav Prince being accurate with his interceptions as t🦂he hosts took a two-point lead in the f🎃irst minute.
Iran players♐ took their time to 💎find rhythm but once they did, they used their superior physicality to get past the Indian defence.
Howeve𒁃r, India managed to remain in the game, trailing by on🔯ly three points at the end of the opening quarter.
India tried to count𝕴er the v𒊎isitors with fast-paced runs, countering over 40 per cent of their two-pointers. Yet, they struggled on the rebounds and trailed 32-42 at half-time.
ജPrince was the top scorer for India with 11 points, while Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan and Muin Bek Hafeez contributed with nine points each.
For Iran, Benham Yakhchali collected 15 points whereas Mohammad Amini and Salar Monji e๊arned 14 points each.
India head coach Veselin Matic said, "India has talent; we need more experience. We have some gap now before the next qualifier in November, and the national team will be participating in the club championship and multiple other eꦑxposure trips. We are confident that we can give a winning performance."
India, who lost their opening contest against Kazakhstan 50-63, are currently placed at t𝔍he bottom of the group table.
The next opportunity for India to turn around tཧheir fortunes will be against Qatar in November.
The qualifiers are scheduled to run until February 2025. The topꦛ two teams from the six𝓡 groups will make it to the main tournament in Saudi Arabia next year,
while the third-placed teams in each gr𝔉oup would play the final qualifier round.
