Iran gets physical, beats Korea

MANILA, Philippines - Iran rode on the big, broad shoulders of NBA veteran Hamed Hadadi to turn back Korea in a rugged game last night, 76-65, for its second straight win in the 27th FIBA-Asia Championship.

The 7-foot-2 Hadadi threw his weight around the paint and topscored for the Iranians with 30 points. He also had 13 rebounds and some heated moments with the Koreans.

In the closing seconds of the game and the Iranians assured of victory, the 265-pound veteran of the Phoenix Suns got into an altercation with Cho Sungmin.

During the post-match press conference, the 28-year-old Hadadi said it’s all part of the game. He spoke very little and hurriedly left the press room.

Sungmin was in the same room and left with Hadadi. They greeted each other and the Iranian held the Korean by the shoulders as they got off the makeshift stage.

It was the second win for the Iranians in Group A following a 90-point victory over Malaysia. The loss was the first for Korea which downed China the other day.

“You need to fight to win the games,” said Hadadi, who drew big support from Bahrami Nikkhah who finished with 23 points and seven rebounds.

The physical contest ended with the players shaking hands at centercourt.

“We don’t prepare for anything like that but if things get physical those kind of a fight can happen. But we don’t prepare for that,” said Korean coach Yoo Jae Hak.

In contrast, Iranian coach Mehmed Becirovic, who is from Slovenia, said getting physical is always part of the game.

“I must say against Korea we must play physical because they are very quick and have good shooters.  It got physical and because of this we had so many fouls,” he said.

“But I must say basketball is a contact game a physical game. This happens – some small fights. This makes basketball more interesting.”

The victory did not come on a silver platter for the Iranians who struggled in the first half and found themselves trooping to the dugout facing a 30-34 deficit.

The Koreans smiled heading to the halftime break.

But at the start of the third period, the Iranians stepped on it and launched an 18-7 run for a 48-41 lead. They led by as many as 14 points and cruised to victory.  

That wiped the smile off the faces of the Koreans.

“We expected a tough game against Korea especially because they won against China and they were confident,” said Iran’s head coach.

The Iranians only lived up to expectations.