[caption id="attachment_107229" align="alignright" width="223"] Iran mens national basketball team[/caption]
Iran mens national basketball team has advanced to the semifinals of the fifth edition of Fdration Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Asia Cup in China after registering a convincing victory over Jordan.
On Thursday, the Iranian side started the match held at the Wuhan Gymnasium in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, situated 1,052 kilometers (654 miles) south of the capital Beijing, in energetic fashion and outscored the Jordanians 21-12 in the first quarter.
The second quarter played out much like the first, with the Iranians utilizing some quality offensive breaks to win it 12-10.
The Iranian sportsmen maintained their lead in the third quarter, and managed to edge past the Jordanian basketball players with 18 points to 16.
In the final quarter, momentum was clearly with the Iranian outfit, who surged ahead.
They finally clinched a 24-22 win in the fourth round, and scored a 75-60 victory over Japan.
Iran will now play either India or the Philippines in the semifinal round.
Thursdays FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinal showdown between Iran and Jordan was the third of its kind in the history of the tournament.
Three years ago, Iran went into the quarterfinals of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, only to be shocked by Jordan.
Two years later, the two were at loggerheads once again at the 27th FIBA Asia Championship in Filipino capital Manila, and this time Iran was remarkably more powerful en route to its third FIBA Asia Championship gold medal.
The 5th edition of FIBA Asia Cup started in the Chinese city of Wuhan on July 11, and will run until July 19.
The winner of the tournament will automatically qualify for the FIBA Asia Championship in 2015.