The Australian Boomers will look to take out the FIBA Asia Cup in their first attempt when they play the defensively solid Iran. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the final from 4am (AEST).
Fittingly, the tournament will be decided by the two best sides. Iran and Australia both made it out of the group stage undefeated, the only two sides across the tournament to do so and haven’t looked back in the knock-out stage.
Arguably, Australia have had more convincing wins, but they have probably played a weaker level of opposition across the tournament. After beating Japan, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in the group stage, they rolled over China by 26 points in the quarter-final.
China are the second-ranked team in Asia, but they were no match for Australia’s height inside the paint. It was a similar story when the New Zealand squad went down to Australia by 27. They simply couldn’t stop the attack, with Australia racking up 107 points.
Jason Cadee has led the way from outside the arc as well, the Boomers finally rediscovering their touch from three-point land after struggling early in the tournament.
Matt Hodgson has dominated the paint, Mitch Creek’s athleticism has added plenty and Brad Newley has popped up in all the right spots to keep Australia on top at both ends of the court.
Iran, on the other hand made their intentions clear at the start of the tournament with a thumping of India, winning by 47 points in a 101-54 thumping.
They followed that up with defensively sound efforts over Syria and Jordan to run out of the group stage, before beating hosts Lebanon 80-70 in the quarter-final.
It’s no mean feat beating Lebanon in front of their home fans, with a sold out arena willing the hosts on. With guard Bahman Yakchali keeping the scoreboard ticking over though, their tall timber has gone to work well in the paint.
For Iran, it’s their front court who will decide if they can win this. They have height unlike anything Australia has faced throughout the tournament with starters Mohammad Jamshidi, Asralan Kazemi and Hamed Haddadi all checking in at around two metres, Haddadi 2.14 making him the tallest player on the court.
With Hodgson’s domination in blocking, scoring and rebounding he will have a huge role to play as he did in Iran’s semi-final win over Korea. They only won by six, but Haddadi had 14 rebounds, eight assists and a block.
He is averaging 12 rebounds and seven assists per game for the tournament, and if Australia can’t adapt and play a more outside based game, trying to catch the defensive weakness of Yakhchali and Sajjad Mashayekhi, they may find themselves struggling.
Prediction
Australia should be able to adapt. Their shooting was good against New Zealand and so long as they continue that, they should get the better of Iran in a physical contest.
Australia by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Asia Cup final from 4am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
There's the tournament trophy! Australia, standing on the dias belting out the national anthem as champions of Asia! What a difference 12 months make. This time last year, it was consecutive heartbreaks in Rio to Serbia and Spain. This time, six wins in a row and a dominant tournament victory. Thanks so much for joining me this morning on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup as Australia got the better of Iran in the final. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Basketball will be on the back burner for a while now, but The Roar will be back in October for the start of the NBA Season, covering a few select matches, and then in November as the World Cup qualifiers get underway. NBL plans are still a little up in the air, however, I hope to be here to bring you some of the season. Until next time, It's bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
And here comes Team Australia to receive their gold medals and the tournament trophy!
Scott Pryde
Expert
This makes it a bit stranger that Creek didn't make the five.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Iran on their way out to receive the silver medals now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
Korea out now to receive their bronze medals after beating New Zealand in that match earlier today.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, no Australian has been named to the team of the tournament. It's a testament to how well they won as a team, and for the most part, they didn't have a standout. In saying that, how Mitch Creek was overlooked is a little bit more than baffling. Arguments could have been made for the inclusion of Newley and Kickert as well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hamed Haddadi has been named the MVP of the tournament.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FIBA ASIA CUP ALL-STAR TEAM Shea Ili (New Zealand) Mohammad Jamshidi (Iran) Fadi El Khatib (Lebanon) Sekeun Oh (Korea) Hamed Haddadi (Iran)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
The presentations should be getting underway shortly. MVP, finals MVP and all-star team of the tournament to be announced.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
A complete team effort from Australia today. Absolutely dominating. They have outplayed Iran in every facet of the game - every statistic you could win, they have done so. No real standout for Australia, but Brad Newley at the top of the tree with 18 points today. Iran struggled with no production off the bench. They looked tired and simply unable to keep up with the pace of the Australians. Haddadi fought hard with 18 points, but they were blown out in the second quarter and never got back into it.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME McCarron with the final score of the tournament and AUSTRALIA are the FIBA Asia Cup Champions with a dominating 23-point victory over Iran! They have cleaned up every single game they have played and been a class above all tournament. The best team have won, and in their first attempt, Australia crowned the champions of Asia. Iran - 56 Australia - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Australia are starting to celebrate on the bench. Iran another miss, then a ball tipped over the sideline. Iran - 56 Australia - 77
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Into the final minute. The air has gone out of Iran and the crowd here as Mirzaeitalarposhti makes a bucket from the high post. Creek another score for Australia. Iran - 56 Australia - 77
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Creek misses the extra. Iran - 54 Australia - 75
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Mitch Creek! Lovely play to get around the defence right there and he makes the lovely lay up, drawing the foul in the process. Iran - 54 Australia - 75
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Dalirzahan to the strike. He makes one. Iran - 54 Australia - 73
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Iran with it through Yakhchali and he misses from the post before Cadee goes to Newley and he misses. No foul call tere before Iran go the other way and now there is a whistle. Mitch Norton and Todd Blanchfield checking in as Australia clear the bench. Iran - 53 Australia - 73