- 19:05
Lebanon has officially secured its ticket to the final phase of the Asia Cup of basketball, which will take place next year in Saudi Arabia, following its convincing victory (89-64) over Syria. This victory marks the fourth consecutive win for the Lebanese in Group 6 of the Asian qualifiers.
War or not, Lebanese basketball continues to shine on the regional and international stage. Proof of this, the national team inflicted a clear and decisive defeat against Syria (89-64). From the outset of the game, Lebanon displayed its power with an impressive 15-0 run, a slap in the face in the first minutes, on the court of the Chabab al-Ahli club in Dubai.
Complete Control from the Start
From the first quarter, Lebanon took control of the match, imposing a frantic pace that suffocated any Syrian attempt to react. The first quarter ended with a score of 33-16, with already a comfortable lead. Despite some attempts by the Syrians to react in the second quarter, the Lebanese maintained their intensity, crossing the midline with a lead of 13 points (47-34).
In the third quarter, the Syrians managed to cut the gap to 11 points (43-54), but Perisic's men didn't let their opponents hope. They quickly pulled ahead again, finishing the period at 65-48. In the final quarter, Lebanon put up a defensive wall, adopting a solid defense and gave no chance to the Syrians to come back into the game. The final score, 89-64, perfectly illustrates the gap between the two teams.
Omari "Supelman"
Beyond the team spirit that prevailed, Omari Spellman’s performance was the real star of the game. Scoring 28 points, the American big man lit up the game with his presence. Every offensive play seemed to go through him, and his ability to get involved both in defense and in building plays was crucial. It’s not just the number of points he scored, but the way he dominated the game that deserves to be highlighted. "Supelman," a nickname that would suit him after this exceptional performance, could be attributed to Spellman. His physical strength, court vision and fiery shooting propelled Lebanon to qualification with a disconcerting ease.
A Unified and High-Performing Team
Beyond Omari Spellman’s performance, the Lebanese team showed perfect cohesion. Wael Arakji, with 20 points, was another offensive engine, while Ali Haidar (13 points) and Sergio el-Darwish (11 points) added their valuable contributions. This collective depth was a key factor in this victory.
International referees Ahmed al-Bulushi (Oman), Mohammed al-Tarawneh (Jordan), and Hadi Salem (Iran) officiated this match, which is part of a series of impressive performances for Lebanon. It was the ninth confrontation between the two countries since 2006. Lebanon has won them all. No real need for a photo finish to determine the strongest team.
On Friday, the team had already dominated the United Arab Emirates with a score of 99-77.
Early Qualification
This victory over Syria secures Lebanon's qualification for the Asia Cup even before the two upcoming matches in February, during the "Window Three." Lebanon now sits at the top of Group 6, with a 4-0 record, proving it is ready to face the big international teams. The next two confrontations against the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, however, are expected to be important tests, but with the current momentum, the Lebanese team can hope to confirm its status as a serious contender for the title in Saudi Arabia.
The True Face of Lebanon Through Sport
The success of this Lebanese team goes well beyond the sports results. While the country is going through tragic times, it is through performances like this that the true face of Lebanon is revealed: that of a resilient country, conquering not by the strength of arms, but through athletic feats. Above all, it’s a Lebanon that will rise again.
Comments