AYG FIBA 33 Basketball: An Iranian nightmare as China come from behind to snatch gold medal

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Marvin Lowe/Red Sports.

Anglican High School, Saturday, July 4, 2009 - Overwhelming favourites China stared defeat in the face when they trailed Iran by 8 points in the Asian Youth Games FIBA 33 boys final with only 3:16 remaining. But Li Weijie played the role of hero for his team as he dragged them back into the match, scoring 10 of China's next 13 points to stun Iran 29-26.

Li finished as the game’s high scorer with 17 points, 15 of them coming in the final period. He also made a series of crucial free throws down the stretch, as well as an all-important interception right at the death to help China claim the gold medal.

It was a nightmare for the Iranians, as not only did they let slip a 13-point lead in the second period, but a last-gasp three-pointer from Yousefi Soheil was disallowed as he immediately attempted a shot after receiving the inbounds pass, and thus contravening the rules of FIBA 33.

No one could foresee such a conclusion early in the match as the Iranian trio raced to a quick 7-0 lead. China were obviously unsettled as they struggled to find a way through Iran's solid, physically-imposing defense. Even the boards were dominated by Iran as they effortlessly collected rebounds against China, something that not many teams were able to do during the competition.

With the Iranians clearly on form, it was no surprise that they limited the Chinese to just four points, and ended the first period with a 13-4 lead.

Much of the same followed in the second period with Mirfattahi Mirmohammad’s 2 jump shots giving Iran their largest lead of the match at 17-4. He got himself into good positions to make wide-open jump shots when his teammates were double or even tripled-teamed.

China finally got on the board 2:43 into the second period with a layup by Li. This seemed to spark them into life as they fought to stay within striking distance. They were able to catch more rebounds as compared to the first period and finished the second 9 points adrift at 20-11.

There was still much work to do for both sides in the final period but it was the Iranians that held a 24-16 lead with 3:16 left on the clock. It looked to be too much for China to overhaul, but along came Li’s late-game heroics as he exploded to score 15 points, levelling the scores at 24-all in the process.

Free throws from Bedighi Amir gave Iran a brief 26-24 lead, which was quickly erased by two points from Li. With 10 seconds left on the clock and with the scores tied, Mirfattahi Mirmohammad had the chance to play hero and give Iran a two-point lead after he was fouled, but the pressure was probably too much on the shoulders of the young man and he missed both his free throws.

It was Li’s turn next on the line. He was also fouled with five seconds remaining and he did what his counterpart couldn't as he made one of two, giving China a 27-26 lead.

Disaster then struck for the Iranians. Although they had possession following the free throw, Mirfattahi Mirmohammad made an extremely sloppy pass right into the path of Li! His teammate had no choice but to foul the Chinese player.

Once again, Li came through for his country and buried both free throws to give his side a three-point, 29-26 lead with three seconds left to play.

FIBA 33 rules state that the ball has to go through two pairs of hands before a team can attempt a shot.

Yousefi Soheil seemed to have forgotten that as he attempted a three-pointer straight after the inbounds pass. He amazingly made it, but it was waved off to the horror of the Iran bench and media. The Chinese thus took the game 29-26, and the gold medal as well.

In the girls’ final, Japan’s #4 displayed nerves of steel as she buried two free throws to help Japan prevent a clean sweep of the FIBA 33 gold medals for China by defeating the basketball powerhouses 33-32.

Not more than four points separated the teams throughout the match as it went right down to the wire in the final period, with the scores level at 29-29 after two periods. Although China’s #5 gave her side a 32-31 lead with a brilliant three-point play, she then fouled Japan’s #4 who emerged as the eventual hero with her two clutch free throws which won her team the gold medal.

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