Iran Falls Short Against New Zealand in Overtime Thriller

Iran left ruing missed layups as New Zealand escaped with a dramatic 93-91 overtime win in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, Aug. 28.

Two chances. Point-blank. Both gone.

With the game hanging in the balance in the extra period, Iran carved out exactly what every coach draws up in a timeout: a clean look at the rim. Mohammad Amini rose for what looked like a routine finish, only for Sam Waardenburg to meet him at the summit, swatting away the go-ahead basket. The ball bounced kindly for Alireza Sharifi, but his putback under heavy pressure also stayed out, sealing a gut-wrenching defeat for Team Melli and a great escape for the Tall Blacks.

The narrow win pushed New Zealand to 5-2, pulling level with Iran in the congested Group E race. For Iran, the timing could hardly be worse. This sting comes just two days before a pivotal showdown with Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday, Aug. 30, on the same Manila floor.

New Zealand's Performance

New Zealand leaned on its guards and grit to survive. Shea Ili controlled the tempo and the scoreboard, pouring in 24 points and dishing six assists as he repeatedly broke down Iran’s perimeter defense. When the Tall Blacks needed a steady presence inside, Sam Mennenga delivered a bruising double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, battling on both glass and paint to keep possessions alive.

Reuben Te Rangi added 13 points, providing timely buckets to steady New Zealand whenever Iran threatened to swing the momentum. Waardenburg, already the central figure in the final defensive stand, chipped in 11 points to round out a balanced core that refused to crack under late-game pressure.

Iran's Response

Iran did not go quietly.

Matin Aghajanpour led the response with 19 points, attacking from multiple spots on the floor to keep New Zealand honest. Amini, despite the late heartbreak, was central to Iran’s push with 16 points, while Seyed Mahdi Jafari contributed 14, helping to drag the contest into overtime and keep Iran within a single possession in the dying seconds.

The margins told the story. One block. One contested putback. One missed opportunity.

Now Iran must turn quickly from what slipped away to what still lies ahead. With Gilas Pilipinas waiting and qualification stakes rising, how they respond to this overtime heartbreak may define their entire World Cup campaign.