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Iran, Tehran – A hot-shooting 24-point, six-assist game from Makoto Hiejima pushed Japan past Iran and to the brink of World Cup qualification on Thursday.
Hiejima came up big in the 97-89 victory in Tehran, with Japan’s naturalized center Nick Fazekas continuing his fine play since his return to the national team, adding 26 points and eight rebounds as the Akatsuki Five reeled off its seventh straight win.
The victory moved Japan into second in its World Cup qualifying group and all but ensured the nation will make its fifth appearance in the competition formerly known as the basketball World Championships.
With just one qualifier to play — against Group F’s last-ranked team Qatar on Sunday — Japan has 18 points, equal with Iran but ahead on a tiebreaker. Iran next faces group winner Australia while the Philippines, one point behind but also vying for a qualification place, plays the eliminated Kazakhstan.
Source and full English article: The Mainichi
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190222/p2g/00m/0sp/039000c
#Basketball #japn #Iran #Tehran #WorldCup #EnglishNews #GoJapan
