Kazemi makes his entry as Iran bounce back into reckoning

WUHAN, China (5th FIBA Asia Cup): Arsalan Kazemi played his first game for the National Team in almost three years as reigning FIBA Asia Championship winners and defending champions Iran came back into the reckoning in Group A’s scheme of things in the 5th FIBA Asia Cup without much ado beating Indonesia 77-47.

Hamed Hadadi and Oshin Sahakian didn’t take to court at all, and there was no need to, as the rest of the roster each played for at least 10 minutes apiece.

Asghar Kardoust made good use of the extended court time scoring 18 points along with half as many rebounds and Kazemi himself eased into rhythm with a dozen points coming off a 5/10 clip in field shooting.

“Alright first game in a long time,” Kazemi said after arriving a day later than schedule due to a 24-hour delay in flight connection.

“I think we’ll do alright as we go along,” he added.

For Indonesia, it was their second game against a bigger team on the trot having lost to China on the opening day.

“We have played our toughest games. We can only improve from here,” said Indonesia coach Rastafari Horongbala.

Lopez Enguio led their scoring with 16 points.

--Fiba Asia