JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Two teams. Four games each. Zero losses. But by the end of Saturday night, only one will still have a shot at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 title.
Australia and Iran have taken different routes to get here. The Boomers have been all business, sweeping Group A and cruising past the Philippines in the Quarter-Finals. Their average winning margin of 25.3 points per game tells the story of a team barely tested, with maybe just one bad half of basketball in the entire tournament.
Iran’s road, however, has been bumpier but no less remarkable. The Group B winners have twice stared down late deficits, first against Japan in the Group Phase, then in the Quarter-Finals against Chinese Taipei, when they came from 21 points down to steal a win. With a younger, retooled core missing some of Team Melli’s iconic veterans, they arrive in the last four undefeated. However, as seasoned veteran Arsalan Kazemi termed themselves during the course of the competition, "We are the underdogs."
Key matchup: Battle in the trenches
Iran’s frontcourt successfully handled Chinese Taipei’s Brandon Gilbeck in the QFs, but this is another level. Olympian Will Magnay is fresh off his best game so far, Xavier Cooks has been consistently impactful and youngster Harry Wessels has gained confidence with each outing. Arsalan Kazemi, Arman Zangeneh and Salar Monji will need to fight for every rebound, deny easy catches and make the paint as congested as possible. If Iran can blunt Australia’s size advantage, their chances rise dramatically.
X-Factor: Matin Aghajanpour
The 24-year-old marksman has been a swing factor for Iran’s fortunes. In the two games where they had to rally, Aghajanpour struggled from deep, shooting a combined 1-of-10 against Japan and Chinese Taipei. In their more comfortable wins, he’s been deadly, hitting 12-of-21 from beyond the arc. Against an Australian defense that will pack the paint and clog the driving lanes, his outside touch could be the key to stretching the floor.
Stats don’t lie
Australia’s dominance is reflected across the box score. The Boomers are among the top three squads in scoring, field goal percentage, three-point accuracy, rebounding and blocks. One area where Iran have the edge? Ball security. Team Melli average just 9.0 turnovers per game, the fewest in the tournament. Limiting mistakes will be vital to keep Australia from igniting their fast-break game.
Previous Asia Cup meetings
These two have clashed on the international stage plenty, with Iran even securing a victory over Australia in a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers meeting. However, they have only once faced each other at the FIBA Asia Cup, which was a 79-56 Boomers win in the 2017 Final. For Iran, this is a chance to gain a measure of payback and reach the Final for the first time since that edition. For Australia, it’s about keeping their perfect all-time FIBA Asia Cup record intact and moving one win away from a third straight crown.
With unbeaten records, contrasting styles and a place in the championship game at stake, Saturday’s clash has all the ingredients of a Jeddah classic.
FIBA