TEHRAN - Iran were decisive in offense, but more importantly composed in defense, in their 102-62 win over Malaysia in the Qualifications to Quarter-Finals game of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025 at the M Bank Arena on Thursday.

Iran, who came through the West Asian qualifier into the competition have now made it to the last eight stage in each of their appearances – six in all – in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup, including the last two editions.

Young Team Melli now face reigning silver medalists New Zealand in a bid to enter the Semi-Finals for the first time since the inaugural edition, held in 2009 in Johor Bahru (Malaysia), when they lost in the Finals to China.

Mohammad Pakgohar was the leader of Iran’s early charge with a 11-point effort – in 4/6 field shooting – but the more effective contribution was in the 5 boards he pulled off the defensive glass in a total of 6 collections. He went on to finish with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Alireza Rashidi, shrugged off a subdued opening quarter and joined the party in the second period accounting for 11 of his game-high 21 points, as Iran kept a vise-like grip on a gnawing opponent.

Lee Yong Xian came off the bench to lead Malaysia with 16 points.