Match Analysis: A Display of Power and Tactical Acumen by Iran’s Women’s Basketball Team

From the opening whistle in the vibrant Beijing arena, the charges of **Eleni Kapogianni**, the Greek head coach of the Iranian national team, entered the court with resolute determination. In the **first quarter**, with an impenetrable defense and intelligent offense, they completely pressured Thailand, taking an **18-7** lead. This early advantage injected high confidence into the team.

The **second quarter** continued with the same aggressive offensive and defensive rhythm from Iran. The seamless coordination among the players and the effective contributions of **Roxana Bahman** and **Nahideh Asadi** in offense, through accurate long-range shots and audacious drives to the basket, significantly widened the scoring gap. The first half concluded with a **42-21** lead for Iran, effectively diminishing any hope for a Thai comeback.

As the second half began, it was expected that Thailand would increase their pressure to recover, but the Iranian women never allowed it. Under Kapogianni’s leadership and the admirable performance of players like **Faezeh Shahriari** and **Negin Rasoulipour** in well-executed attacks and robust defense, Thailand failed to implement their plans. The **third quarter** also concluded with an **18-13** advantage for Iran. In the **fourth quarter**, despite the relentless efforts of their opponent, the Iranian team maintained absolute control with composure and game management, ultimately celebrating a commanding **78-52** victory.

Star Players Shine: From MVP to Key Contributors for Iran

Undoubtedly, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title for the game went to **Roxana Bahman**. With a dazzling performance, she tallied **20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals**, achieving an efficiency rating of 22, playing a pivotal role in this victory. Her three-pointers and free throws at crucial moments extinguished any hope for Thailand to narrow the gap.

The starting lineup for the Iranian team, which had a explosive start, included **Mahla Abedi, Farnaz Khodamoradi, Sheida Shojaei, Negin Rasoulipour, and Roxana Bahman**. Furthermore, players like **Nahideh Asadi, Kimia Yazdian Tehrani, and Faezeh Shahriari** played key roles in increasing and maintaining the score difference with their three-pointers and high basketball IQ.

The Road to Glory: Steady Steps Towards Asian Dominance

The Iranian National Women’s Basketball Team had already demonstrated its undeniable strength in the preliminary rounds of the competition. The national team women secured **three consecutive and decisive victories** against the Cook Islands (82-32), Mongolia (89-55), and Thailand (80-62) in the group stage, directly advancing to the semifinals as group winners. This flawless performance and team cohesion promise a bright future for Iranian women’s basketball.

The Grand Final and the Dream of Ascending to Asia’s Top Tier

Now, all eyes are on tomorrow, **Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 8:30 AM UTC** (12:00 PM Tehran time). In this decisive match, the Iranian National Women’s Basketball Team will face the winner of the other semifinal between strong teams, **Chinese Taipei and Mongolia**, in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B Final. The grand objective is to claim the championship title in this tournament and earn the **right to participate in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A in 2027**; a long-held dream within the Iranian women’s basketball community, now on the verge of becoming reality.

Iran National Women’s Basketball Team – Coaching Staff and Players:

• Head Coach: Eleni Kapogianni (Greece)
• Team Manager: Afsaneh Hassan Nayebi
• Technical Advisor: Mohammad Reza Eslami
• Assistant Coach: Azadeh Zamanpour
• Analyst: Rouzhanou Mahmoudi
• Strength & Conditioning Coach: Shiva Khoramshahi
• Players: Delaram Vakili, Nahideh Asadi, Mahla Abedi, Sheida Shojaei, Kimia Yazdian Tehrani, Negin Rasoulipour, Roxana Bahman, Ghazal Zamani, Farnaz Khodamoradi, Faezeh Shahriari, Mahsa Karani, Aida Golmohammadi.

The Iranian sports community eagerly anticipates another stellar performance from the national team women in the final, hoping that this championship will mark a new and brilliant chapter in the history of Iranian women’s basketball. Can the Iranian women make history tomorrow and hoist our country’s flag in Asia’s top tier of basketball?