NAGPUR: For the second time in the U-18 Asia Cup, Indian cagers came tantalizingly close to orchestrating an upset against the continent's second-ranked team Iran. Despite a vastly improved performance in the classification game for the 5-8 place, Indian cagers went down fighting 59-73 at the Prince Hamza Hall in Jordan on Sunday, after a gallant display of resilience and determination.
Having struggled to find their rhythm in the quarterfinal against China on Saturday, India exhibited an attacking brand of basketball and succeeded in engaging Iran in a riveting cat-mouse situation by taking a one-point lead in the first quarter. India continued their attacking play in the second quarter but a series of blunders in the final 30 seconds before the lemon break provided Iran the crucial advantage as they quickly scored six points and went into the break with a significant lead.
