Iran Overpowers Saudi Arabia at IWBF Asia Oceania Championships
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran started the IWBF (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation) Asia Oceania Championships with a convincing 85-31 win over Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The Iranian team, who finished runner-up in the previous edition, will face New Zealand in Group C on Tuesday.
Also, the Iranian women team suffered a heavy 86-15 defeat to powerhouse Japan.
There will be 45 matches will played on two courts over six days at the Chinese Paralympic Training Venue.
In the men’s competition, the 14 teams will be split into four pools and play a round-robin.
Defending champion Australia, who beat Iran 78-60 in the 2015 final, has been drawn in Group A alongside Chinese Taipei and Iraq.
Japan, the 2015 bronze medalists, is in Group B with Hong Kong and Kuwait.
Iran has been pitted against Thailand, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand in Group C.
Host China meets South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan in Group D.
The top two in each pool will progress through to the quarter-final.
The four semi-finalist will secure a ticket to the 2018 World Championships, scheduled to take place in Hamburg next year from August 17 to 26.