BASKETBALL – Bahrain head coach Jad El Hajj stressed on the importance of making a strong start against Syria tonight in their concluding game of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
The kingdom’s senior men’s basketball national team square off with their Syrian counterparts in a winner-take-all affair at Al Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall in Doha, Qatar. The game is scheduled for a 10pm tip-off, Bahrain time.
The Bahrainis and Syrians are tied on the Group F table with two wins and three losses apiece, and whoever triumphs today will earn their ticket to the continental showcase, to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this August.
Bahrain suffered a tough 78-84 defeat to pool winners Lebanon on Friday last week but had plenty to be proud of after battling back from an 18-point deficit in the final quarter to get to within two possessions late on. El Hajj now hopes they can transfer that intensity into their clash against Syria, especially coming out of the gate.
“I’m really proud of my players – how they reacted in the second half (against Lebanon) and finished the game,” said El Hajj. “It wasn’t easy at all. Lebanon are second in Asia in the Fiba rankings, and they were the runners-up in the last Asia Cup. It was a big game for my guys, but now we are one game away from qualifying.
“The way we finished the game is how we are supposed to open on Monday.”
El Hajj said that his team will be fully focused on claiming a victory against the Syrians. They earlier won their first meeting 76-71 in November of last year at home.
“Nothing else – we just have to win on Monday to qualify; it’s like a knockout game,” El Hajj highlighted.
“Syria have now two wins and we have two wins. Whoever will win will qualify directly, and hopefully we win.”
Bahrain court general Ahmed Salman echoed El Hajj’s sentiments.
“Like coach said, we have a goal – and the goal is to win one game and we need to take this performance to the start of our next game and hopefully we leave Qatar with a win and a ticket to the Asia Cup,” said the Manama Club point guard.
Bahrain are in the Qatari capital with a 12-player squad that includes Salman, Mohammed Hussain, Mohammed Kowayed, Subah Hussain, Ali Jaber, Ahmed Bin Daina, Mustafa Hussain, Ali Shukrallah, Ali Hussain, Ali Aqeel, Mohammed Ameer, and Wayne Chism.
Lebanon, who have already punched their ticket to this year’s Asia Cup, host the UAE in the other Group F game tonight in Zouk Mikael, also scheduled to begin at 10pm, Bahrain time.
The Fiba Asia Cup is the continent’s premier basketball tournament, featuring senior men’s national teams from Fiba Asia as well as from Fiba Oceania. Bahrain are looking to qualify for the championship for the 10th time.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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