TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iran beat three-time reigning champion China here on Friday in a thriller to reach the semi-final of the 2016 FIBA Asia U-18 Championship.





Iran will face South Korea in semis and the other semi-final will see Japan take on Lebanon.

In a game worthy of being a final, Mohammad Jafari's free throws with 7 seconds left secured Iran a 62-59 victory over China, who had not yet lost in the tournament and now enter the Classification 5-8 round.

Jafari scored 21 points to lead the way for Iran. Iran is still alive for its third title - and first since 2008. Mostafa Rezaei scored 11 points and Amirhossein Khandanpoor chipped in 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Khandanpoor also grabbed a critical offensive rebound with 12 seconds left.

Man Jiang scored 21 points and Du Runwang scored 11 points respectively for China.

China will now play against the Philippines in the Classification.

RESULTS
South Korea beat Philippines 93-85
Japan beat Chinese Taipei 77-71
Lebanon beat India 98-67
Iran beat China 62-59

By Tasnim News Agency