[Anchor]

The men's national basketball team, challenging for its first title in 12 years, defeated Iran to advance to the final. Ace Lee Hyun-jung led the victory by scoring a game-high 26 points.

Reporting from Nagoya, this is Hong Seok-jun.

[Reporter]

The national team took the initiative from the perimeter against Iran, a team known for its tall players.

Moving with strong organization, they continuously created scoring opportunities.

After Lee Jeong-hyeon opened the scoring, Lee Hyun-jung pierced the net with a quick-release shot, and Lee Woo-seok followed up with consecutive step-back shots, accounting for all of the team's first 15 points via three-pointers.

Although the opponent fought back with a dunk, our team maintained control of the momentum.

Lee Hyun-jung scored a determined tip-in followed by a sharp pass to assist Lee Woo-seok on a basket near the paint, helping build a 12-point lead by halftime.

In the second half, our players' shooting touch grew even hotter.

Choi Jun-yong also hit a three-pointer, and Lee Jeong-hyeon heated up the arena with sharp assists and accurate long-range shots.

Lee Hyun-jung sealed the victory late in the third quarter by completing a four-play, hitting a three-pointer and sinking an additional free throw.

Lee Hyun-jung recorded a game-high 26 points, including seven three-pointers, alongside 14 rebounds, while Lee Woo-seok added 19 points to support the effort.

While the national team successfully sank 14 three-pointers, Iran managed just two makes out of 23 attempts from beyond the arc.

Advancing to the final with a dominant 26-point victory, South Korea thoroughly shook off the disappointment of six consecutive losses and being tripped up by Iran in each of the past two tournaments.

[Interview / Lee Woo-seok / National Men's Basketball Team Player: I really don't want to do anything I would regret. That's why I will do my best for this final game, achieve our goal, and return to Korea.]

Now, only one step remains.

The national team will play the long-awaited final on the day after tomorrow (September 20) against the winner of the ongoing match between Japan and China.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Video Credit: Yang Doo-won, Video Editing: Lee Sang-min)