BAGHDAD (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - It has been quite some time since Iraq have been significant in FIBA Asia basketball. But after beating Iran in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, their message to the rest of the continent, according to star Hassan Abdullah, is clear: be warned.

This past summer, Iraq played at the FIBA Asia Cup for the first time since 1987. It was just the fourth participation in the tournament following 1977 and 1979.

But Iraq showed they cannot be taken lightly, beating Qatar 75-66 in their Group D opener. And the Iraqis nearly clipped China in the final group game, losing 61-60 after leading 58-53 with less than three minutes to play.

Buoyed by their FIBA Asia Cup 2017 performance and their new naturalized player Demario Mayfield, Iraq went into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers hoping to reach the World Cup for the first time. And the first game on the Road to China 2019 came against Asian powers Iran.

The game was tight throughout until Iraq went on a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter and never let Iran get closer than eight points the rest of the way in a 74-66 victory in Group D.

"It is a historic victory indeed, against one of the strongest teams in Asia. This proves the huge development of the Iraqi team," said Abdullah, who scored seven of his 15 points in the big stretch in the final period. "Certainly, the fourth quarter was the decisive time. We were determined to win, so we gave our best effort, and thank god, we won."

Mayfield was Mr. All-Around for Iraq with 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals.

The 25-year-old Abdullah was playing his third tournament for Iraq, following the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 and the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016. And the Baghdad native has seen the team’s development.

"Beating the Iranian team is a warning message to all the other Asian teams. It is proof of the Iraqi team's huge development in such a short time," Abdullah said.

Iraq were unable to make it two-for-two in the November Qualifiers, losing at Kazakhstan 82-76 in overtime. That was another back and forth battle with the biggest lead for either team being nine points.

"Yes, we lost the game. But it's not a disappointment, because we have hope, a big one," said Abdullah, who collected 27 points, four rebounds and three steals in the loss. "We are in a continuous stage of development, and we are determined to qualify."

"Beating the Iranian team is a warning message to all the other Asian teams. It is proof of the Iraqi team's huge development in such a short time."Hassan AbdullahHassan Abdullah

Next up for Iraq in the February Qualifiers are a home game against Qatar on February 22 and at Iran on February 25.

Iraq played the game against Iran in Jordan and Abdullah was pleased with the fan turnout in Amman.

"The Iraqi community in Jordan had a great presence. And they supported the team until the last second of the game, they have all our gratitude and appreciation," Abdullah said.

FIBA