Australia, Iran advance to FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals

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Australia beat Qatar, 110-82, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Sunday to clinch the top spot in Group A. (FIBA photo)
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Iran also completed a clean sweep of Group B, shaking off a slow first half to overwhelm Syria 82-43. (FIBA photo)
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Updated 11 August 2025
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Australia, Iran advance to FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals

  • Australia to face winner of KSA-Philippines match on Monday night
  • Iran awaits winner of Chinese Taipai-Jordan match also on Monday

JEDDAH: At the final day of the group phase games, the reigning two-time champions Australia and Iran claimed the top spot with a perfect 3-0 record to directly advance to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 quarterfinals.

On Sunday night, Australia beat Qatar, 110-82, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah to clinch the top spot in Group A.

The Boomers will now wait for the winner between hosts Saudi Arabia and the Philippines in the qualification round on Monday to determine their opponents in the final eight, which starts Wednesday.




Ranked 1st in Asia on the FIBA World Rankings, the Australian Boomers are chasing a third consecutive title in FIBA Asia Cup 2025. (FIBA photo)

Iran also completed a clean sweep of Group B, shaking off a slow first half to overwhelm Syria 82-43.

The three-time Asia Cup champions improved to 3-0, setting up a last-eight meeting with the winner of the Chinese Taipei vs. Jordan clash in the qualification to quarterfinals.

Syria’s loss marked the end of their Asia Cup run, finishing 0-3, with the other losses inflicted by Japan and Guam. 




Three-time Asia Cup champions Iran improved to 3-0 Sunday after beating Syria 82-43. (FIBA photo)

In other games on Sunday night, Japan caught fire from deep and never looked back, routing Guam 102-63 to seal second place in Group B en route to the final phase.

South Korea  beat Lebanon, 97-86, to reach the final phase. More than the statistical feat, Team Korea have clinched the no. 2 spot in Group A and are bound to face Group B's no. 3 team in Guam in the qualification to quarter-finals.

On Monday night, the winner of the Saudi Arabia-Gilas Pilipinas matchup will move on to the quarterfinals to face Australia, the no. 1 team in Group A. 

On the same day, Chinese Taipei takes on Jordan and the Chinese team enters the game with a 2-1 record, second in Group D after beating the Philippines and Iraq before falling to New Zealand. Jordan, meanwhile, finished third in Group C with a 1-2 mark, their lone win coming against India.

 


Morocco reach Arab Cup final by defeating UAE

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Morocco reach Arab Cup final by defeating UAE

  • Defense, organization again prove crucial for victors
  • Jordan, Saudi Arabia contest second semifinal 

DOHA: Morocco booked their place in the Arab Cup final with a commanding 3-0 victory over the UAE on Monday, extending their impressive defensive record in Qatar.

The Atlas Lions once again showcased their organization and composure at the back as they took control of the semifinal and capitalized clinically at the other end.

Morocco opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when Karim El-Berkaoui rose highest to head home Hamza El-Moussaoui’s cross, a breakthrough that reflected their growing dominance.

True to form, taking the lead proved decisive for a side that have been nearly impenetrable throughout the tournament, with their only concession so far coming via an own goal in their opening match.

The UAE struggled to find space through the middle and were largely restricted to long-range efforts and hopeful deliveries into the box, all of which were comfortably dealt with by central defenders Soufiane Bouftini and Marwane Saadane.

Morocco added the finishing touches late on as their substitutes combined to decisive effect.

Abderrazak Hamdallah turned provider for Aschraf El-Mahdioui, who finished calmly from close range, before Hamdallah capped the performance by converting Mohamed Boulacsout’s cross to seal the result.

Morocco will now await the winner of the second semifinal between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which takes place later on Monday at Al-Bayt Stadium.