IRI - Zandi: Iran needs americans to improve

DOHA (Asian Games) - Iran used a pressure defense to eventually wear down Bahrain 112-77 and move to 2-1 in Group E of the 15th Asian Games tournament.

The Iranians found themselves in plenty of foul trouble and one of the keys to their success was the play off the bench of Iman Zandi Mashhady, who scored 19 points in 18 minutes.

Iran's 2-1 record leaves them tied for second place in the group with South Korea and Jordan - one game behind undefeated leaders Qatar. Both Bahrain and Syria are 0-3, meaning Iran have all but qualified for the final eight.

Zandi took time after Iran's victory over Bahrain to talk about the win, the up-coming match against Qatar, as well as the state of basketball in Iran.

What does this victory mean to the team?
Zandi: After the Korea game we had a lot of energy. And this game was a great training for the next game against Qatar. I think the Qatar encounter is the most important for us in this group because if we can beat Qatar we have an easy game against Syria.

What was the difference in the game?
Zandi: I think the speed of the game. We started with a slow tempo. After half-time we started putting pressure on the ball and we controlled the tempo of the game.

What do you expect against Qatar, who are more athletic and may be able to better handle the Iranian pressure.
Zandi: If we want to get to the medals of this championship, we have to beat Qatar. It will be so hard to play in front of their fans. But we did a great job playing against Qatar three or four years ago. We know them. We know the players and the coach. I think we can do a good job against Qatar. And all our players are looking forward to the game.

What do you think about the state of basketball in Iran?
Zandi: We're a young team. I've been with the team for seven years. All the time we play one game very good and then start the next game very bad. And this is our problem. If we can improve this problem, we can be better. If we start the same way against Qatar like we did in this game we will lose. Qatar is a very good team who uses mistakes from others. Bahrain really couldn't take advantage of our mistakes. If they could have, they would have beaten us. But I know we will start the game against Qatar at 100%. I know my team-mates and I believe this.

Talking to your team-mate Aidin Nikkhah Bahrami a couple of days ago, he said he thinks Iran can become Asian champions in three or four years. Do you also think such an accomplishment is realistic?
Zandi: Yes. I think we have good potential in Iran. We have two or three players in Iran who are very very good but can't be here because they are injured. I think we can do really big things in the future.

One player you don't have here is Jaber Rouzbahani, who's 7ft 4in. You have one center Hamed Ehadadi, who's very talented. But do you think missing a player like Jaber could keep you from beating a big team like China because of their size down low?
Zandi: Hamed is a great player and he's our only center here. But he's not entirely ready for the tournament, he has a hand issue and hurt his ankle here in the first game. I think Hamed is getting better and better every day. And when he plays well on offence he helps us so much. I think we can do well against China and all of the teams here. But we only have one problem and that is the start of the game.

Moving to your homeland, there were about 20 Americans playing there last season. None of them are there this season. One of the main reasons for this is a US Treasury Department investigation into the players, questioning if they violated US sanctions against Iran by playing basketball there. What are your thoughts on the situation?
Zandi: If you look at Iran, we're so much better since the Americans arrived here about five years ago. And the reason for that is the American players. Because we play against them and we must improve our level to theirs. This is so important for young Iranians, for the national team, for the coaches.

Do you think the situation will be resolved soon?
Zandi: I think after we get back from this tournament, this tragedy is finished. I think they're coming back to my country. In Iran, there are some rules only for one month or two months. And after that, it's finished.

What do you think the Americans brought which helped the Iranians improve the most?
Zandi: We saw how they trained for each game with 100% every day. And they have really good techniques and know the tricks of the game. And you need to know that. Americans are also always good. Iranian players are sometimes good and then sometimes bad. No team in Iran had an American player five years ago. Now we do. And they teach us everything about basketball. Because we need to reach their level.

By David Hein, PA Sport
Exclusively for FIBA