Iran proved they could be able to contend for a medal at the 16th Asian Games Men's Basketball when they beat Qatar 88-46 November 22, making it to the top two in Group F.

Iran, which won the Asian championship last year, recorded 4-1 in all five group games, but if Japan could beat win-less India on November 22, Iran will rank after Japan for their 56-57 loss to Japan on November 17.

Iran looked well-prepared against Qatar, the silver medalists in Doha Games, from the opening quarter as they built a 27-10 lead entering the second quarter.

Iran, playing without their tower center and NBA player Hamed Ehadadi, enlarged their advantage to 35 points at the end of the third quarter, which was 51-26.

Hamed Afagh shot six 3-pointers and led Iran four players to score double-figure with a game-high 33 points. Guard Mahdi Kamrani added 21 and 5 assists for Iran, which out-rebounded Qatar 41-24 and shot 53 per cent to Qatar's 30 per cent.

Qatar had two players who scored double-digit with Yaseen Musa 18 and Alba Ngombo 13.

If Iran were after Japan in Group F, they face third place finishers Jordan from Group E in quarterfinals on November 24, while Japan, if they finally win over India, play the winners of the game between Chinese Taipei and the Philippines, which will be decided on November 22.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2010)