Iran’s Hamed Haddadi gets love from Lebanon’s players after the game. Lebanon beat Iran, 81-73, in Haddadi’s final game. -FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Lebanon will go home in high spirits at the end of its 2023 Fiba World Cup stint following a feel-good 81-73 win over Iran on Saturday night at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.
Wael Arakji scored 21 points and Ali Haidar added 20 as the Lebanese picked up their second victory in the classification phase after dropping all three matches in the opening group stage.
Mohammad Amini had 22 and Hamed Haddadi put in 14 for the Iranians, who bowed out heartbroken after losing all of their five games, the first time they failed to register a win after four consecutive world cups since 2010 in Turkey.
Despite the defeat, Haddadi felt the love and respect on his farewell performance in the world championships, his teammates and the entire Lebanese team hugging and paying tribute to the 7-foot-2 former Memphis Grizzlies at center court right after the final buzzer.
Arakji, the Asia Cup Most Valuable Player, even wore Haddadi’s jersey as a sign of adoration for the Iranian center who brought his country to two Olympic Games in 2008 Beijing and 2020 Tokyo and three Asia Cup championships.
Lebanon’s Wael Arakji. -FIBA PHOTO
Both Lebanon and Iran, however, missed out on an Olympic berth after Japan defeated Cape Verde, 80-71, in Okinawa for its third victory after five games.
The Japanese will be flying to the 2024 Paris Olympics after emerging as the best Asian team.
With only pride on the line, France capped a forgettable World Cup with a rugged 87-77 win over Cote d’Ivoire in the other match.
Isaia Cordinier proved himself an effective starter by leading the French with 19 points on six of eight shooting after the two-time world championship bronze medalist ended their campaign with a second straight win following an early exit.
The Blues dropped two important games in the initial group stage, sending them tumbling to the classification phase that eventually denied the 2021 Tokyo Olympics runners-up a medal finish.
The Blues already clinched a spot in the Paris Games as hosts.
Nisre Zouzoua fired 18 points while Solo Diabate and Vafessa Fofana added 13 apiece for the Ivorians, who exited the tournament with a lone victory in five games to show.