©Photo by Sarkis Yeretsian
With a strong, aggressive tempo and a defense as stoic as the roots of a cedar tree, Lebanon outclassed the Kingdom of Bahrain (94-63) in an electric atmosphere at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex gymnasium (Zouk Mikael) in the second round of qualifying for the 2025 Asian Cup.
The match kicked off with an intense physical rhythm from both sides in this second Group F encounter. Despite a promising start from the Lebanese team with a clear dominance in rebounding, it was the intensity and concentration of the Bahraini players that paid off most. Indeed, Bahrain found themselves in the lead after five minutes of play in the first quarter (8-11). However, Jad el-Hajj's men quickly wiped out this advantage, taking control of the game with Pelle on the rebound, Arakji as perceptive as ever in his breakthroughs and Ali Mansour in the finishing role. The Lebanese team rediscovered their automatisms to regain the lead (21-13 at the 10th).
The rhythm Returns, But Not for Pelle
Jad el-Hajj's men entered the second quarter with even greater intensity, taking control of the match after a few minutes (28-22), but failing to extend their lead due to a lack of precision in the final movement. Always on alert, Bahrain took advantage of these shortcomings to find their way back into the game (28-26). Already deprived of Jad Khalil and Karim Zeynoun, the Lebanese team suffered another blow: Norvel Pelle, suffering from muscular pains, gave up his place to Hayk Gyokchyan. Despite high intensity on both sides, Lebanon maintained its rhythm until the end of the half (39-33).
The return from the locker-room was prolific; despite an offensive salvo from Bahrain's Mustafa Rashed and Dwayne Chism, nothing daunted Lebanon's Cedars, who extended their lead more and more. A fluid, fast, concise game, full of chemistry from the Lebanese trio of Sergio Darwich, Hayk Gyokchyan and Ali Mansour, gave Lebanon a 22-point lead (68-46).
Photo by Sarkis YeretsianDarwich and Arakji Leave the Floor
The fourth and final quarter begins with an impressive move by Waël Arakji, who completely disorients Ali Kadhem and Dwayne Chism.
The stadium erupts in cheers, chanting Arakji's name. Seconds later, an icy silence descends on the stadium following a heated altercation between Sergio Darwich and Maitham Isa. The referee sends Darwich back to the dressing room for unsportsmanlike conduct. Despite this incident, Lebanon remained imperious in all areas of the game, especially in defence, where young Hayk Gyokchyan, in a state of grace on Monday, kept everything at bay (78-52 at the 34th minute). Another blow came when Waël Arakji was sent off for a second technical foul, but this did nothing to alter Lebanon's dominance of the game at the end, ensuring their second consecutive victory.
The bottom line is that this Lebanese team is ready to go all out, and will need much better opponents to scare them off. See you on November 22 against the United Arab Emirates for the start of the second phase of Asian Cup qualifying.
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