Basketball Asia Cup report: New Zealand triumphs over Iraq 100-78, while the Chinese men's basketball team faces Saudi Arabia in their first match tonight.

On August 5, 2025, the group stage of the Basketball Asia Cup kicked off with an exciting opening match between New Zealand and Iraq. After four intense quarters, New Zealand surged in the final period to defeat Iraq 100-78, securing a strong opening victory. This evening, the Chinese men's basketball team will also take the court for their debut against Saudi Arabia, aiming for a successful start!

New Zealand is a very strong team, with their tactical skills and level ranked second in Asia only to Australia. Currently, they hold the 22nd position in the world rankings. Their match against Iraq in the Asia Cup opener has garnered significant attention, as Iraq is ranked only 92nd in the world, highlighting the considerable gap in strength. New Zealand should have no difficulty winning, and a strong start is highly likely!

As the game began, both teams were evenly matched. However, as the match progressed, New Zealand showcased their superior strength, frequently breaking through and scoring from multiple players to take the lead by 8 points at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Iraq's substitutions proved effective, allowing them to score rapidly, while New Zealand's offense stalled. Iraq seized the opportunity, scoring both inside and outside to end the half with a surprising one-point lead, 27-18. In the second half, the game turned into a tug-of-war, with both sides exchanging blows and keeping the score close, ending the third quarter with just a two-point difference. In the final period, the situation shifted dramatically as New Zealand played more seriously, significantly increasing the intensity of the game. They found their offensive rhythm, executing a deadly inside-outside game that overwhelmed Iraq, finishing the quarter with a 37-17 score, decisively taking the win. This outcome was expected, as Iraq did not reach the level to cause an upset!

According to the schedule, the Chinese men's basketball team will also take the court tonight, facing Saudi Arabia, the host team. With home-court advantage and naturalized players, it won't be easy for the Chinese team to secure a comfortable victory. We look forward to good news—let's go!

By/ Sports Novel

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